DR Congo, M23 Resume Peace Talks Amid Eastern Violence

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 militia have resumed peace talks in Doha, Qatar, following recent violence in eastern DRC. These talks aim to implement a July ceasefire agreement intended to bring a permanent end to the conflict that has severely impacted the DRC's mineral-rich east. Deadlines to start and finalize peace talks in August were missed, but current discussions focus on establishing mechanisms to monitor the ceasefire and arranging prisoner exchanges. The talks are being coordinated with support from the United States and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Previous ceasefire agreements have failed, and fighting recently resumed despite prior commitments to a truce. The M23 group, backed by Rwanda, had sought a separate ceasefire deal with Kinshasa, indicating unresolved issues beyond the DRC-Rwanda agreement signed in June.