Minembwe: A mission to verify a fragile ceasefire between the Congolese army and the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 armed group was deployed Monday to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as the two sides traded accusations of abuses. According to France24.com, the eastern DRC has long been troubled by conflict, with numerous armed groups, including the M23, vying for control over its mineral-rich territories. Despite peace efforts spearheaded by Qatar and the United States last year-which resulted in two separate peace accords-the fighting has persisted. The Congolese government and the AFC/M23 committed to a ceasefire in Doha in July 2025, while the DRC and Rwanda formalized a US-brokered peace deal in December in Washington. The Swiss government announced Sunday that the DRC and AFC/M23 had agreed on a roadmap for peace talks after negotiations in Switzerland, additionally mentioning the imminent deployment of a regional body to verify ceasefire violations. This verification mission, consisting of representa tives from the Congolese government, AFC/M23, and observers from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), was launched on Monday by UN helicopters to Minembwe in South Kivu province. The mission is set to visit Uvira, from which the AFC/M23 withdrew in January, as well as the territory of Kalehe, where recent fighting has been reported, according to South Kivu governor Jean-Jacques Purusi. Reactions from the DRC and AFC/M23 authorities regarding the mission's deployment are still forthcoming. The eastern DRC has seen numerous international mediation attempts, yet conflicts persist. In April, an agreement between the DRC and AFC/M23 was reached to facilitate humanitarian aid and release prisoners. Recent closed-door talks held in August included representatives from the United States, Qatar, Switzerland, the African Union Commission, and Togo, focusing on a standardized method for reporting ceasefire violations and establishing a mechanism to review progress under the Doha Framework Ag reement. The DRC condemned alleged "crimes and serious human rights violations" by the M23, accusing them of killing over 300 people in June and July. Meanwhile, an AFC/M23 spokesperson accused government forces of a "deadly attack" near Minembwe. Both sides frequently accuse each other of abuses and ceasefire violations, which remain largely unverifiable by independent parties. The region surrounding Minembwe has proven particularly challenging for international organizations to access, with reports indicating the AFC/M23 has suppressed dissenting voices, including journalists and human rights activists, in areas under its control.
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