Congo-Kinshasa: Joint Statement Between the Representatives of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Representatives of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) on the Doha Process

The following statement was released by the representatives of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the representatives of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement, as well as the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), Switzerland, and the African Union Commission, on the meetings held August 17 to August 21 in Switzerland, on the implementation of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

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From August 17 to August 21, 2026, representatives from the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and representatives from the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23), along with the State of Qatar, United States of America, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), the African Union Commission, and Switzerland, convened in Switzerland to assess progress made and challenges encountered to date in the framework of the Doha Process. They also discussed the path forward for the implementation of existing obligations and commitments and the negotiation of remaining protocols under the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of the DRC and AFC/M23, signed in Doha on November 15, 2025.

The Parties welcomed continued progress on the operationalization of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), including the establishment of its Secretariat, and the EJVM+ reconnaissance mission, with the logistical support of MONUSCO, conducted on August 20 in advance of the first EJVM+ ceasefire verification mission, scheduled for August 24 in Minembwe. The Parties agreed on the importance of a standardized method for reporting allegations of ceasefire violations.

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The Parties agreed to establish a mechanism tasked with reviewing progress and addressing challenges in implementation of obligations and commitments under the Doha Framework Agreement.

Following this evaluation, the Parties developed a roadmap setting out sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations under the Doha Framework Agreement and committed to flexibility and creativity within the existing structure provided by the

Framework Agreement. The Parties agreed that the order of negotiation of the protocols does not dictate the order of implementation of the protocols. They reaffirmed their commitment to pursue negotiations towards comprehensive peace and conflict resolution through the implementation of the Framework Agreement.

The Parties shared recommendations with the facilitation regarding the path forward for constructive negotiations and to promote implementation of commitments undertaken by both Parties.

The representatives of the Government of the DRC and the representatives of the AFC/M23 expressed their gratitude to the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Republic of Togo as the AU Mediator, Switzerland, and the AU Commission for their steadfast support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.