Joint Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG)

Doha Process Talks Yield New Commitments

Representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23), joined by the State of Qatar, the United States, Togo, Switzerland, and the African Union Commission, met in Switzerland from August 17 to August 21 to assess progress in the Doha Process一晃. The meetings focused on the implementation of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which was signed in Doha on November 15, 2025.

According to a joint statement released at the end of the talks, the parties welcomed continued progress on the operationalization of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), including the establishment of its Secretariat. The statement noted that a reconnaissance mission for the EJVM+ had been conducted on August 20 with logistical support from MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, ahead of the first EJVM+ ceasefire verification mission scheduled in Minembwe.

The parties also agreed on the importance of a standardized method for reporting ceasefire violations, and agreed to establish a mechanism tasked with reviewing progress and addressing challenges in implementing obligations under the Doha Framework. Additionally, they developed a roadmap setting out sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations, while clarifying that the order of negotiating protocols does not dictate the order of implementation. Recommendations were shared with the facilitation to guide constructive negotiations and promote implementation of commitments.

The statement concluded with expressions of gratitude from both the DRC government and AFC/M23 representatives to Qatar, the United States, Togo, Switzerland, and the African Union Commission for their support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.

International Contact Group Calls for FDLR Disarmament Progress

In a related development, the International Contact Group (ICG) for the Great Lakes region issued its own statement on the disarmament process. The ICG, chaired by France and comprising the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States, took note of the announcement made on July 28 by the DRC government that a faction of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) had formally accepted and signed a protocol on their disarmament, demobilization, and cantonment.

The group urged the Congolese authorities to promptly develop an operational plan and realistic timeline to implement the FDLR's disarmament in line with the Washington Agreements, including the accords of October 31, 2024, and June 27, 2025. The ICG also called on the DRC government to clarify measures to combat impunity as referenced in the protocol arrangement, and to engage with MONUSCO as a key partner in implementation. The statement noted that any operational collaboration or colocation with FDLR elements would be fundamentally at odds with commitments made under the Washington Agreements.

The ICG, chaired by France and including the UK, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the EU, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the US, said it stands ready to welcome concrete steps forward taken by either the DRC or Rwanda within the framework of the peace process.

Verification and Roadmap Agreements

In their joint statement, the parties welcomed continued progress on the operationalization of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), including the establishment of its secretariat. A reconnaissance mission for the mechanism was conducted on August 20, with logistical support from MONUSCO, ahead of a first EJVM+ ceasefire verification mission scheduled in Minembwe.

The parties agreed on the importance of a standardized method for reporting alleged ceasefire violations, and agreed to establish a mechanism tasked with reviewing progress and addressing challenges related to implementing obligations under the Doha Framework Agreement. They also developed a roadmap setting out sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations, clarifying that the order in which protocols are negotiated does not determine the order in which they are implemented.

The parties shared recommendations with the facilitation on the path forward for constructive negotiations and the promotion of commitment implementation. Representatives of the DRC government and AFC/M23 expressed gratitude to Qatar, the United States, Togo, Switzerland, and the African Union Commission for their support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.

ICG Urges Action on FDLR Disarmament

Separately, the International Contact Group (ICG) for the Great Lakes region, chaired by France and comprising the UK, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the US, issued a statement on the disarmament protocol signed between the Congolese authorities and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda-FOCA (FDLR).

The ICG took note of the announcement made on July 28 that a faction of the FDLR formally accepted and signed a protocol on their disarmament, demobilization, and cantonment. The group urged the Congolese authorities to promptly develop an operational plan and realistic timeline to implement FDLR neutralization, in line with the Washington Accords and the framework of October 31, 2024, as well as the commitments of June 17, 2025.

The ICG also called on the DRC government to clarify measures addressing impunity as referenced in the protocol and to work with MONUSCO as a key partner in implementation. The group stated that any operational co-location or collaboration with FDLR elements is fundamentally inconsistent with the commitments made in the Washington Accords. It expressed readiness to welcome concrete steps forward taken by either the DRC or Rwanda within the framework of their peace process commitments.