Peace negotiations between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel group are scheduled to resume this week in Doha, signalling another push toward a political solution. In a statement issued on Sunday, November 2, President Félix Tshisekedi affirmed the nation’s commitment to diplomacy and sovereignty as he arrived in Qatar for the Second World Summit for Social Development. Doha remains the core diplomatic channel, having hosted the July signing of a Declaration of Principles intended to guide negotiations toward a peace deal, though previous deadlines for formal agreements have lapsed.
These talks come as the M23, now aligned under the Alliance Fleuve Congo, tightens its grip on key zones in eastern DRC, establishing parallel structures and straining already fragile state authority. The conflict has driven mass displacement, with nearly six million internally displaced persons and more than 1 million Congolese refugees in neighbouring countries.
UN estimates warn that 27 million people face hunger, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable peace framework. The president has not confirmed whether he will join the negotiations directly, yet his presence in Doha reflects a strategic intent to catalyse renewed momentum toward stability and humanitarian relief.