The latest developments come after months of intense fighting that has displaced civilians and destabilized the region.
However, the UN warns that despite the diplomatic push, the security situation on the ground remains volatile.
The M23, also known as the March 23 Movement, controls large areas of the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu. In January 2025, after a rapid offensive, the group seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
Weeks later, he captured Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu. Since then, the rebels have established parallel administrations in the areas under their control. The UN says the group is supported by Rwanda’s armed forces, an allegation Kigali has repeatedly denied.
Uvira, a major town in South Kivu, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Democratic Republic of the Congo. (archive)
Framework agreement
On February 2, Congolese authorities and the M23 signed a document setting out the terms of reference for a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism within the framework of the Doha Framework Agreement, signed in November 2025. The Doha talks are mediated by Qatar.
Separate talks have also taken place between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, mediated by the United States.
In December, Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda signed the Washington Accords, raising hopes that they would end the fighting. However, the UN says the security situation as of early this year remains volatile and continues to deteriorate.
Immediate call for a ceasefire
In this context, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known as MONUSCO, has renewed its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
He recalled that a UN Security Council resolution adopted last year authorizes the Mission to support the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, including through technical and logistical assistance to a regional verification mechanism.
“MONUSCO is ready to support a credible ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism within the limits of its mandate defined by the Security Council and with full respect for the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Acting Head of MONUSCO.
“The Mission will continue to engage constructively with relevant stakeholders within the established ceasefire architecture and communicate transparently about the scope and modalities of its support,” he added.
‘Positive sign’ from Doha
Speaking to UN News, MONUSCO spokesperson Ndeye Khady Lo described the progress in Doha as “a positive sign” that helps make “the architecture of the ceasefire more concrete and operational.”
He said an initial team of UN peacekeepers would be deployed to the South Kivu town of Uvira to support the monitoring mechanism.
MONUSCO stressed, however, that this would not entail a permanent return to the province, which the Mission abandoned in June 2024, but rather a limited and strictly defined role linked to the ceasefire process.