Qatar has played a leading mediation role between DR Congo and M23, hosting talks between both sides in an effort to end the deadly conflict.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo along with the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) agreed to facilitate rapid, unimpeded access of humanitarian personnel, assets and convoys in implementation of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

The development was announced in a joint statement on Saturday by Qatar, the United States, DR Congo, AFC/M23, Togo, the African Union Commission, and Switzerland.

The statement followed meetings held from 13-17 April in Montreux, Switzerland, on the protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection in implementation of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed on 15 November 2025 in Qatar.

The parties agreed on the importance of ensuring humanitarian assistance for the people of eastern DR Congo, and said that they have “made substantial progress toward[s] [the] conclusion of a protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection”.

“The Parties agreed to facilitate rapid, unimpeded, safe, and sustained humanitarian access and freedom of movement for humanitarian personnel, goods, and services […] based on independently assessed needs without regard to any distinction based on religion, family origin, social condition, residence, opinion or political convictions,” the statement said.

The warring parties also agreed to “refrain from any attack, destruction, removal or rendering useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population”.

“The parties recognised that humanitarian assistance includes but is not limited to activities and services related to the provision of food, nutrition, health care, water, sanitation, and hygiene, shelter, and ensuring that the protection of civilians remains paramount during the conduct of hostilities,” the statement said.

“This includes protection activities, including activities aimed at preventing and responding to violence, exploitation, and abuse of civilians, including of women and children and promoting respect for international humanitarian law and of international human rights law,” it added.

The parties also agreed to refrain from any action that would hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance in areas affected by the conflict. They further committed to taking measures to search for, collect and evacuate the wounded and sick. 

“The parties undertake to facilitate the transport of medical and humanitarian relief supplies by impartial humanitarian organisations to support the functioning of healthcare facilities and other medical units in areas affected by armed conflict,” the statement noted.

The parties have also signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to operationalise the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+).

The EJVM+ allows for the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism (COVM)—established within the Doha Framework—to begin conducting surveillance, monitoring, verification and reporting on the implementation of the permanent ceasefire.

This comes after a meeting that took place in Doha on 2 February 2026 between DR Congo and the AFC/M23, which resulted in the signing of ceasefire monitoring terms. 

The meeting had reviewed plans by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.

Building on the previous meeting’s progress, the discussions in Switzerland saw the parties express their readiness to further discuss and begin planning within a week the initial verification mission of the COVM, supported by MONUSCO.

In another outcome of the talks in Switzerland, the parties agreed to release prisoners within 10 days, in line with the Mechanism for the Liberation of Detainees, signed on 14 September 2025.

“The Government of the DRC and AFC/M23 expressed their gratitude to the State of Qatar, the United States, Switzerland, the Republic of Togo, and the African Union Commission, as well as the United Nations, notably through MONUSCO, for their steadfast support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region,” the statement concluded.

Qatar has played a leading mediation role between DR Congo and M23, hosting talks between both sides in an effort to end the deadly conflict. On 19 July 2025, DR Congo and M23 signed a declaration of principles in Doha, aiming to end fighting in eastern Congo. 

The Qatar-brokered agreement committed both sides to a permanent ceasefire and followed a separate peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda, signed in Washington in June 2025.

The M23 had renewed its deadly offensive in eastern DR Congo in 2022, displacing millions while causing a dire humanitarian crisis. The UN recorded 7.8 million internally displaced people since December 2024.

However, the number dropped to 5.8 million in 2026 with the return of internally displaced people. Doha News