White house pressures DRC president to sign peace deal with AFC/M23

In a high-stakes diplomatic move, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reportedly received a direct phone call from the White House, urging him to sign the peace roadmap with AFC/M23 or face unspecified consequences.

The message was clear:

 “Sign the peace deal with the AFC/M23, or face all consequences.”

This development marks a dramatic shift in international pressure surrounding the Doha peace process, which has been facilitated by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs since mid-2025

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The DRC president is expected to sign the roadmap in Doha, formalizing a Declaration of Principles that was already agreed upon in July 2025. The roadmap includes:

– A permanent ceasefire
– Direct negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement
– A commitment to civilian protection and regional stability

The signing is reportedly scheduled before a planned visit to the White House, signaling a new phase in US-DRC relations and the broader regional peace effort.

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The United States has publicly praised the Doha agreement, calling it a continuation of the DRC-Rwanda diplomatic framework signed earlier in Washington. A State Department spokesperson stated:

 “The United States welcomes the signing of this Declaration of Principles between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and representatives of the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement.”