A Qatari official confirmed Sunday that a draft peace agreement has been shared with both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, just ahead of the August 18 deadline set in the Declaration of Principles signed last month in Doha.

While the timeline for a final deal has not been met, the official emphasized that “both parties have responded positively” and expressed willingness to continue negotiations. Qatar is currently hosting a new round of talks aimed at finalizing the agreement, despite delays in implementing key confidence-building measures such as prisoner releases.

On the ground, however, the situation remains volatile. Heavy fighting erupted around Mulamba, a strategic town in South Kivu, between M23 forces and the Congolese army (FARDC), as well as Wazalendo militias, beginning on August 8.

• M23 reportedly captured several villages in the Mulamba group, including Kaniola, intensifying fears of territorial loss.
• The Congolese army denied losing control, calling reports of rebel advances “psychological warfare”.
• Local sources described bombs and heavy weapons being used, with civilian displacement and casualties reported but not yet verified.

The Doha-mediated peace process, backed by Qatar and the United States, has faced significant hurdles:

• M23 demands the release of over 780 prisoners and refuses to send a delegation to Doha until this is met.
• The DRC insists on a case-by-case amnesty and will only release prisoners after a final agreement is signed.
• Disagreements persist over the restoration of state authority in rebel-held areas, with M23 rejecting full withdrawal.

Since January, more than 2 million people have fled violence in North and South Kivu, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The resurgence of M23, backed by Rwanda, has destabilized key cities like Goma and Bukavu, where the group has set up its own administrations.

Despite the missed deadline, the Doha talks continue, and international actors remain hopeful. The US-backed regional framework includes plans for economic cooperation and security guarantees, but without a durable ceasefire, implementation remains uncertain.

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