No final peace deal is ready to be signed in Qatar, contrary to recent media claims and social media speculation, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebellion in eastern DR Congo has said. This comes a few days after the June 27 peace agreement between Rwanda and DR Congo. ALSO READ: Details of Rwanda-DR Congo peace agreement signed in Washington In a statement issued on Thursday, July 3, the rebel movement reaffirmed its commitment to the Doha peace talks but insisted that key trust-building measures must first be fulfilled by the Congolese government. ALSO READ: AFC/M23 says Rwanda-DR Congo deal ‘tiny’ part of solution “While fully committed to the Doha talks, there isn't yet a final draft of the agreement ready to be signed in Qatar at present, contrary to information circulating on social networks and statements made by Mr. Massad Boulos, Africa Advisor to President Donald Trump, on France 24,” rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated in a statement following a press conference held in Goma, the rebel-held capital of North Kivu Province, on Thursday. ENGLISH: ———— The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), hereby informs the public of the following: While fully committed to the Doha talks, there isn't yet a final draft of the agreement ready to be signed in Qatar at present, contrary to information circulating on social... pic.twitter.com/rPWeKwfT7v — Lawrence KANYUKA (@LawrenceKanyuka) July 3, 2025 The rebel alliance emphasized that it continues to await Kinshasa’s fulfillment of trust-building measures, which it considers essential to facilitate meaningful dialogue. ALSO READ: Rwanda-DR Congo peace deal: Dismantling FDLR first thing to do – Nduhungirehe The Qatar-hosted talks between the Congolese government and AFC/M23 intend to complement the Rwanda-DR Congo peace accord by addressing the root causes of the conflict in eastern DR Congo. We are still waiting for the Kinshasa regime to honour the trust-building measures, which are essential for facilitating productive talks as initially required, Kanyuka stated in a statement following a press conference held in Goma, on Thursday. Kanyuka underscored that “it is the Kinshasa regime that continues to obstruct progress in the talks”, while AFC/M23 remains fully committed to the process. To counter misinformation and speculation on social media, the rebel movement revealed contents of the current draft document, which outlines eight key demands. The rebels clarified that the document remains unofficial and non-binding until both parties come to an agreement. Among the points in the draft, AFC/M23 calls for a formal declaration by President Felix Tshisekedi expressing his regime’s political will to engage in direct negotiations with the movement. It also demands the repeal of the Congolese National Assembly’s November 8, 2022 resolution along with all other restrictive measures imposed on AFC/M23 by Kinshasa so as to allow for the smooth conduct of political negotiations. Additionally, the draft calls for the cancellation of all death sentences, legal proceedings, arrest warrants, and bounties placed on the heads of AFC/M23 leaders and members as these measures hinder peace efforts. The movement also demands for the immediate release of all civilians and military personnel arrested or accused of collaboration with it based on familial, professional, or social ties. It calls for reparations for moral and material damages and urges Kinshasa to criminally sanction hate speech, persecution, and acts of violence, including cannibalism, targeting individuals based on language, facial features, or presumed links to the rebellion. ALSO READ: M23 says will ‘not passively watch’ as DR Congo bombs, massacres Banyamulenge Other demands include an end to ethnic discrimination and denial of citizenship rights to targeted communities, the restoration of freedom of movement and trade, and the issuance of official documents, including travel documents, to people living in areas under AFC/M23 control. The reopening of customs operations and banking services by the Central Bank in areas controlled by the rebels, the return of seized or looted property belonging to AFC/M23 officials, and compensation for damages suffered, is another demand. The Congolese army bombed a civilian aircraft delivering humanitarian aid to Minembwe, South Kivu, on June 30. The aircraft was carrying food and medical supplies for vulnerable populations in the region. AFC/M23 condemned the strike as “barbaric,” accusing the Congolese government of ethnic cleansing.
