During peace talks held in Qatar since March 2025, both sides were urged to take confidence-building measures to demonstrate their commitment to resolving the conflict and achieving peace.
The AFC/M23 complied in early April by withdrawing its fighters from the town of Walikale and surrounding areas. However, it warned the DRC army that if it launched further attacks, it would reclaim those positions.
Through Qatari mediation, the coalition requested that the DRC government release certain individuals, including politicians and soldiers, who had been arbitrarily detained on accusations of collaborating with or being members of M23/AFC.
Reportedly, the AFC/M23 submitted a list of over 700 people it claimed were unlawfully detained by the DRC government and demanded their release. None of those listed were released.
The DRC government, in response, stated that it had freed five individuals, including a member of parliament from Haut-Uélé Province. However, AFC/M23 pointed out that these individuals were not on the submitted list.
The released individuals were former associates of Christophe Baseane Nangaa, the former Governor of Haut-Uélé and brother of AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa.
Christophe Baseane Nangaa recently fled to the United Arab Emirates amid allegations of collaboration with his brother. He had been a member of the ruling coalition, the Union Sacrée, before being imprisoned for six months.
Confidence-building measures are a cornerstone of the agreement between DRC and AFC/M23, forming a key basis for drafting a joint document between the two sides.
Reports indicate that after a week of discussions in Doha, the AFC/M23 delegation left without signing the joint statement, citing the DRC government's refusal to meet its demands.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/qatar-peace-talks-in-balance-as-m23-accuses-drc-of-breach-of-trust
