Peace talks between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebel movement have been moved from Qatar to Switzerland, The New Times has learnt. The next round of talks is scheduled for April 14 in the Swiss capital Geneva, rebel officials said. ALSO READ: AFC/M23 deputy head condemns bias, double standards over DR Congo crisis The Qatar-mediated peace talks began in April 2025. Though fighting has not stopped, key milestones reached in Doha include the signing of the July 19 declaration of principles, the October 14 ceasefire monitoring agreement, and the November 15 peace framework. The peace talks have been moved to Switzerland due to the conflict in the Middle East and this has been done at the request of the mediators, Oscar Balinda, a spokesperson of the AFC/M23, told The New Times on Monday, April 6. ALSO READ: Security Council discusses DR Congo conflict after Goma drone attack He said the next round will focus on humatarian access in the conflict affected areas, the third of eight protocols agreed in Doha. However, he added that while the movement has observed its part in the first two protocols -- ceasefire and release of prisoners -- the Congolese government has yet to honour its commitments. Balinda said they still have confidence in the peace process. We have always sought to have peace talks, but the government has waged the war against us, he said. He recalled that Kinshasa agreed to peace talks after more than three years of fighting and when the rebel movement had taken control of swathes of territory, including Goma and Bukavu, two largest cities in eastern DR Congo. ALSO READ: Kabila speaks out on Goma drone attack, slams ‘Tshisekedi’s tyranny’ The AFC/M23 continues to accuse the government coalition, which includes Burundian forces, the Rwandan genocidal militia FDLR, Wazalendo armed groups and foreign mercenaries, of multiple ceasefire violations. Recent incidents include the March 11 drone attack on Goma, which killed three civilians, including a French humanitarian worker with UNICEF. In different drone attacks on Minembwe area in South Kivu province, the government coalition was accused of killing 11 civilians.
