Kinshasa accepts activation of 'peace roadmap'

Authorities in Kinshasa and rebels from the M23 movement, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have agreed to a roadmap for peace talks. The joint statement was released Sunday following discussions in the Swiss capital, Bern.

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by decades of conflict, with numerous armed groups vying for control of resource-rich territories. The M23 movement, in particular, seized vast areas last year. Despite a peace agreement framework reached late last year under U.S. auspices in Doha, fighting has continued.

Following a new round of talks held in Switzerland last week, both sides and mediators revealed a path forward. The statement indicated that "the two parties, in cooperation with the mediators, have prepared a roadmap that defines successive stages and a timetable for negotiations under the Doha framework." They reaffirmed their commitment to continuing negotiations to achieve comprehensive peace and resolve the conflict through the implementation of the framework agreement.

The closed-door sessions, held between August 17 and 21, included representatives from the United States, Qatar, Switzerland, and the African Union, as well as Togo, appointed as the AU's mediator. Both parties agreed on the importance of adopting a standardized mechanism for reporting alleged ceasefire violations. The first mission to verify compliance with the ceasefire is expected to be dispatched to Minembwe in South Kivu province on Monday. The parties also agreed to establish a mechanism to review progress and address challenges in implementing commitments made under the Doha framework for a comprehensive peace agreement.