Following negotiations held in Montreux under Qatari mediation, the Congolese government and the M23 rebellion have committed to facilitating access for aid in the east of the country and to releasing prisoners within ten days.
A new, primarily humanitarian, step has been taken in the conflict tearing apart eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to a joint statement released on Sunday, April 19, Kinshasa and the M23 rebel movement (grouped within the Congo River Alliance – AFC) reached a compromise after five days of intensive discussions in Switzerland, from April 13 to 17.
A Ten-Day Timeline for Prisoners
One of the key points of this agreement is the mutual commitment to release prisoners within ten days. This measure, described as a gesture of goodwill, aims to “strengthen trust” between the warring parties.
At the same time, both sides reaffirmed the urgent need to guarantee the safety of humanitarian convoys. They pledged to respect international law and to no longer obstruct the distribution of vital aid to civilian populations, who have been particularly affected by the fighting that has lasted for more than three years.
International mediation
These Montreux talks benefited from significant diplomatic support. In addition to Qatar, which acted as the main intermediary, representatives from the United States, Switzerland, Togo, and the African Union were present.
Beyond the humanitarian aspect, a memorandum of understanding was signed to implement concrete mechanisms for verifying the ceasefire. While a peace agreement had already been ratified last December under the auspices of Washington, it had not been enough to silence the guns.
A context of persistent crisis
As a reminder, the M23 took up arms again in late 2021, seizing large swathes of eastern DRC. Kinshasa, along with several UN expert reports, accuses Rwanda of providing military support to this rebellion, which Kigali continues to deny. This new agreement in Switzerland represents a glimmer of hope for access to healthcare and food in a region ravaged by three decades of violence.
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