The latest talks come as clashes have spread in the South Kivu highlands, with civilians ‘caught in the middle’.
Published on 16 April 2026
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels are holding talks in Switzerland, the latest effort to stop deadly fighting that continues despite a peace deal in December.
According to media reports, a new round of talks between the two sides began on Monday, with the mediation of the United States and Qatar.
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The Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebel alliance signed an interim peace monitoring mechanism during talks, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on Thursday.
RFI said the agreement establishes a body to monitor humanitarian and security developments and potential ceasefire violations.
This mechanism will include representatives of both the DRC government and armed groups, with the support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
Reporting from Goma in eastern DRC, Al Jazeera’s Alain Uyqani said talks were taking place “while the situation on the ground is very delicate”, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire agreement.
“For example, in the Minambwe region (in South Kivu province), thousands of civilians are caught in the fighting between different groups,” he said.
Uyakani said those on the ground in eastern DRC hoped that after a series of failed deals, mediators would pressure both sides to respect a new durable peace mechanism.
‘Serious humanitarian crisis’
The AFC/M23 rebel alliance has captured large swaths of territory in eastern DRC since early 2025, capturing major cities including Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame – whose country has been accused of supporting M23 rebels – signed a “historic” peace and economic deal in December in Washington, DC, aimed at ending fighting in the DRC.
Separate peace talks have also taken place between the DRC and the M23, brokered by Qatar.
Despite peace efforts, clashes have continued, which also erupted shortly after the signing of the December agreement. Recently, fighting has reached the highlands of South Kivu, according to media reports.
In a statement on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch accused the warring parties of blocking aid deliveries and preventing civilians from fleeing the South Kivu highlands.
“Civilians in the highlands of South Kivu are facing a grave humanitarian crisis and live in fear of abuses by all parties,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Great Lakes researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“This vastly under-reported conflict needs more attention otherwise this bad situation will get even worse.”
