A Qatar-mediated draft peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has hit a diplomatic snag, with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi declaring the proposal “unsatisfactory.” The deal, aimed at restoring state control over rebel-held territories, outlines a three-phase roadmap to peace but now faces renewed scrutiny and negotiation in Doha.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot confirmed Tshisekedi’s position, stating that “a new phase of discussions will open soon,” as both sides prepare to revisit the terms of the draft. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa has refrained from commenting on the text, instead emphasizing the implementation of the earlier Doha Declaration, which includes ceasefire commitments and prisoner releases.

The draft agreement follows a U.S.-backed initiative launched in Washington last month, which included Rwanda’s participation but excluded M23 from direct negotiations. The rebels, who earlier this year seized strategic eastern cities such as Goma and Bukavu, have entrenched their control by installing loyalists in key administrative roles. Their territorial gains have displaced over seven million people and triggered what the UN describes as one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises.

Despite signing a Declaration of Principles on July 19, both parties missed the August 18 deadline to finalize the peace deal. M23 accused the Congolese army of violating the ceasefire, while Kinshasa insists that rebel withdrawals are non-negotiable. Qatar’s mediation team confirmed that both sides remain engaged and will resume talks in the coming days.

The draft agreement reportedly includes provisions for:

• Restoration of state authority in rebel-held zones
• Phased demobilization of M23 fighters
• Prisoner exchanges and humanitarian access
• Monitoring mechanisms involving regional and international observers

However, the release of prisoners—a key demand from M23—is proving contentious, with Congolese officials viewing it as a negotiation point rather than a precondition.

As violence continues in eastern Congo, the Doha talks represent a fragile opportunity to halt decades of bloodshed involving over 100 armed groups. Whether the parties can reconcile their positions remains uncertain, but international pressure is mounting to prevent further escalation and humanitarian collapse.

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