M23 rebels: UN sees progress in talks, but warns that violence continues

Qatar is facilitating talks between the Congolese government and the armed group M23, which controls large parts of the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

The latest developments follow months of intense fighting that has displaced civilians and destabilized the region.

However, the UN warns that despite the diplomatic momentum, the security situation on the ground remains volatile.

M23, also known as the March 23 Movement, controls large parts of the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu. In January 2025, after a rapid offensive, the group captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu.

Weeks later it captured Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu. Since then, the rebels have set up parallel governments in areas under their control. The UN says the group is backed by Rwandan forces, a claim Kigali has repeatedly denied.

Framework agreement

On February 2, Congolese authorities and M23 signed a document setting out the terms of reference for a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism under the Doha Framework Agreement, signed in November 2025. The Doha talks are mediated by Qatar.

Separate talks have also taken place between the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by the United States.

In December, Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda signed the Washington Agreements, raising hopes for an end to the fighting. However, the UN says the security situation remains unstable and continues to deteriorate early this year.

Immediate call for ceasefire

Against this backdrop, the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCOhas renewed its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

It was a reminder that a UN Security Council The resolution adopted last year authorizes the mission to support the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, including through technical and logistical assistance to a regional verification mechanism.

“MONUSCO stands ready to support a credible ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism within the limits of its mandate as defined by the Security Council and in full respect for the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Acting Head of MONUSCO.

“The Mission will continue to engage constructively with relevant stakeholders within the established ceasefire architecture and communicate transparently on the scope and modalities of its support,” she added.

‘Positive signal’ from Doha

Speaking to UN News, MONUSCO spokesperson Ndeye Khady Lo described the progress in Doha as “a positive signal” that helps “make the ceasefire architecture more concrete and operational.”

She said an initial team of UN peacekeepers would be deployed to the town of Uvira, South Kivu, to support the monitoring mechanism.

However, MONUSCO stressed that this would not mean a permanent return to the province, which left the mission in June 2024, but a limited and strictly defined role linked to the ceasefire.