Peace talks between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebels are in limbo after the parties recently accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreed in Doha, Qatar in July, when they signed the Declaration of Principles for lasting peace. The rebels, who have controlled two largest cities in eastern DR Congo for nearly eight months, on August 11 accused the government coalition of making “offensive manoeuvres” in spite of the Qatar-mediated talks. The fifth round of the Doha talks concluded on July 19 with the signing of the key document that details confidence building conditions needed before the two parties can reach a peace agreement. ALSO READ: M23 issues alert about 'offensive manoeuvres' by DR Congo army The rebels suggested on Sunday, August 17 that their negotiators would return to Doha after the declaration of principles is implemented. “The AFC/M23 hereby reaffirms its full commitment to the Doha Peace Process and emphasises that only the full implementation of the Declaration of Principles will enable the next round of talks to proceed which should be based on the root causes of the conflict,” AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement on Sunday evening. “Only in this framework alone that these root causes will be addressed, thereby paving the way for a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement.” ALSO READ: AFC/M23 leader says Kinshasa attacks threaten Doha peace process Following the recent reports of clashes in North Kivu province, Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s special adviser who attended Doha talks as an observer, cautioned against a return to hostilities. “The United States condemns the renewed violence reported today in eastern DRC and calls for all parties to respect the ceasefire,” Boulos wrote in Friday post on X. “We need cooperation and strong leadership to ensure the robust and successful implementation of the Peace Agreement. Violence undermines progress towards peace and prosperity.” ALSO READ: AFC/M23: DR Congo bombed aid plane after signing peace deal On August 11, the rebels accused the government coalition of deploying military forces and equipment to new fronts along the axes of Kindu-Shabunda, Kinshasa-Bujumbura, Kisangani-Walikale, and Kalemie-Uvira. “These deployments, which deliberately violate the ceasefire yet again, demonstrate a clear escalation strategy,” Kanyuka said in a statement earlier last week.
