Kinshasa, Nov 3 (NationPress) The peace negotiations between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel faction are set to recommence next week in Doha, Qatar, as announced by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.

In a statement released late Sunday by the Congolese presidency, Tshisekedi emphasized that the DRC is dedicated to employing both political and diplomatic strategies to resolve the ongoing conflict in the eastern provinces, while firmly maintaining the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Doha has served as the sole active channel for dialogue between Kinshasa and the M23 for several months. In July, both parties signed a Declaration of Principles in Doha, which initially set a framework for negotiations to commence by August 8 and for a peace agreement to be finalized by August 18. Unfortunately, these deadlines have come and gone without fulfillment.

Tshisekedi, who arrived in Doha on Sunday to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development scheduled for November 4-6, also commended the involvement of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the ongoing discussions with the M23, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The statement did not clarify if the president would directly engage in the forthcoming talks with the rebels.

Since resurfacing in late 2021, the M23, now part of the political-military Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), has expanded its influence over several key areas in eastern DRC, including Goma and Bukavu. In these regions, alternative administrative frameworks have been established, further undermining local governance and exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis.

According to the United Nations, over 2.4 million individuals have been displaced since January 2025, increasing the number of internally displaced persons to nearly 6 million. Approximately 1 million Congolese have fled to neighboring countries, while 27 million people are now at risk of starvation.