DR Congo
DR Congo government says Doha talks aim to dismantle AFC/M23 rebel alliance
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has declared that the Doha peace talks, led by the State of Qatar, are intended to dismantle the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, which currently controls large parts of North and South Kivu, including Goma and Bukavu.
Speaking on national television during the program Kivu na Biso, Government Spokesperson and Minister of Communication Patrick Muyaya stated:
“The Doha talks are the beginning of the end for M23 and AFC. No legal framework—be it our Constitution, the African Union Charter, or the UN—recognizes a group that claims authority over part of a sovereign nation.”
The Doha negotiations began in March 2025, following AFC/M23’s capture of major eastern cities and the establishment of civilian administrative structures. On July 19, both the DRC government and AFC/M23 signed a principles agreement outlining steps toward peace, including:
– Ceasefire
– Prisoner exchange
– Restoration of state authority
However, the most contentious issue remains: whether the DRC government should regain control of rebel-held areas. While Kinshasa insists on full withdrawal, AFC/M23 argues that the government lacks the capacity to govern those regions and demands a power-sharing security and political arrangement.
AFC/M23 submitted a list of 700 prisoners it wants released, including members like Eric Nkuba Shebandu and Safari Bishori Luc, currently detained in Kinshasa. When asked why the government would consider releasing individuals already tried and sentenced, Muyaya responded:
“Each case will be reviewed individually. We won’t release prisoners in bulk. Legal procedures must be respected.”
He added that the release is necessary to secure the return of state personnel held by AFC/M23.
President Félix Tshisekedi, speaking in Paris on October 30 at a regional security summit, echoed the government’s stance. He urged international partners to support UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which demands:
– Immediate withdrawal of AFC/M23 from occupied territories
– Removal of all foreign armed forces from Congolese soil
As the Doha talks continue, the DRC government remains firm that no rebel group will be allowed to govern any part of the country. Meanwhile, AFC/M23 maintains its grip on strategic cities, and the success of the peace process hinges on whether both sides can agree on security guarantees, political inclusion, and transitional justice.
