Diplomatic efforts are intensifying to try to end the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, despite the fragile security situation, says the UN.
The UN says it has welcomed the progress made in talks on the situation in the DRC, facilitated by Qatar, while also warning of the still volatile security situation.
The body expressed its satisfaction with the progress announced by Qatar from the talks between the Congolese government and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23).
On Monday, the two parties acceded to a document outlining the terms of reference for the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism provided for in the Doha Framework Agreement signed in November 2025.
In parallel, talks have been held between the DRC and Rwanda under the mediation of the United States.
The Washington Accords, signed on December 4 by Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame,
had raised hopes for a lasting de-escalation of the conflict.
However, according to the UN, the security situation in eastern DRC remains unstable and continues to deteriorate, despite the commitments made by the various parties.
In January 2025, the M23, backed, according to Kinshasa, by the Rwandan army – a claim Kigali denies – seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu, before capturing Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, a few weeks later. Since then, the armed group has established parallel administrations in the areas under its control.
In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2808, MONUSCO is authorised to support the implementation of a permanent ceasefire. An initial team of Blue Helmets is to be deployed to Uvira to support the monitoring mechanism, without marking a lasting return of the Mission to South Kivu.
DM/Sf/fss/as/APA