Negotiators of AFC/M23 movement have returned to Doha, Qatar, where they are expected to engage the Congolese government in another round of talks aimed at addressing the crisis in eastern DR Congo, The New Times has learnt. ALSO READ: Twelve months after Goma’s fall, peace efforts still limp Our delegation is Doha and we expect to meet representatives of the Congolese government, Oscar Balinda, a spokesperson for the AFC/M23, said in an interview with The New Times on Thursday, January 29. He added that the date for the talks would be communicated by the mediator. The Qatar-mediated negotiations have stalled since mid-November, when the two parties signed a peace framework agreement that was followed by renewed hostilities on the ground in eastern DR Congo. In the next round of talks, the negotiators are expected to discuss humanitarian access and judicial protection, one of eight protocols under the framework, Balinda said. ALSO READ: Nangaa rejects Tshisekedi's attempt at peace talks in Luanda The protocol lays out a range of obligations intended to ease civilian suffering in conflict-affected areas. It provides for safe and unhindered humanitarian access, protection for humanitarian personnel, and the restoration of essential services. In addition, it reaffirms respect for international humanitarian and human rights laws, particularly regarding the protection of civilians, detainees, missing persons, and family unity. ALSO READ: Kinshasa, AFC/M23 sign Peace Framework Agreement but problems remain on ground The renewed engagement in Doha follows a period of heightened tensions in South Kivu province. On December 10, AFC/M23 took control of the city of Uvira, a development the movement says was precipitated by sustained attacks from the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and their allies, including Burundian troops, Kinshasa-backed FDLR and Wazalendo militias. According to the AFC/M23, attacks on its positions and on civilians, especially the Banyamulenge and other Tutsi communities, have continued, even after the rebels announced a unilateral ceasefire on December 16 before they began withdrawing from Uvira. ALSO READ: Looting, displacement reported in Uvira hours after AFC/M23 withdraw AFC/M23 described the withdrawal, which was completed on January 17, as a confidence-building measure designed to support the Doha Peace Process. “We withdrew from Uvira to give full chance to the mediation process, and this was also at the request of one of the mediators,” Balinda said. “Had the advancement continued, it could have disrupted the talks. Now, we believe the Congolese government has no excuse. They cannot claim that we lack goodwill or that we are the ones undermining the process,” Balinda added. ALSO READ: Goma: Thousands protest against AFC/M23 withdrawal from Uvira So far, negotiations on two key elements of peace concluded These are the prisoner-release mechanism, signed on September 14 and entrusted to the International Committee of the Red Cross for implementation, as well as the ceasefire monitoring agreement, signed on October 14. Nevertheless, these agreements have yet to translate into tangible improvements on the ground. ALSO READ: AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa states four reasons why his movement is fighting Tshisekedi govt In the absence of effective implementation, the rebels accuse FARDC and its allies, including Burundian forces, Wazalendo militias, the genocidal FDLR group, and mercenaries, of perpetrating renewed violence against civilians, particularly among Banyamulenge in Uvira. ALSO READ: Human rights violations on rise in Uvira after AFC/M23 pullout – activist The situation in the city has been further compounded by a telecommunications shutdown enforced by the Congolese government since January 21, a measure that has restricted information flows and, according to local sources, obscured the scale of ongoing abuses.
