The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO), James Swan, arrived in Goma city on Monday, November 2, for consultations with representatives of the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a movement led by former President Joseph Kabila. ALSO READ: What to know about new Kabila-led movement in DR Congo The visit is Swan's first to the eastern Congolese city since the FRN was launched on October 12, replacing the AFC/M23. It comes at a time when diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue to fail due to ongoing fighting and delays in implementing agreements reached by the movement and the Congolese government. Swan is expected to meet with FRN representatives, continuing the contacts the mission previously maintained with the AFC/M23. The discussions will focus on implementing MONUSCO's mandate in peace efforts, particularly the protection of civilians, humanitarian access and support for ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanisms, especially the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+/MCVE+). ALSO READ: Kabila faults Tshisekedi for 'choosing war' over peace in DR Congo The FRN took over from the AFC/M23, which had been negotiating with the Congolese government in Doha to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern DR Congo. Its formation followed Kabila's decision to join forces with the AFC/M23. Launched in April 2025 under Qatar's mediation, the Doha peace process seeks to address underlying issues, including governance, security, unequal treatment of communities, displacement and the presence of armed groups, while establishing arrangements for ending hostilities. ALSO READ: DR Congo deploys ceasefire monitoring team to Goma as fighting continues The two sides signed a Declaration of Principles on July 19, 2025, committing themselves to resolving the conflict through dialogue and negotiation. On November 15, 2025, they signed the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which provides for eight protocols covering the political, security, humanitarian and reconciliation measures needed to achieve lasting peace. The framework provides the basis for negotiating the eight protocols, which, once concluded, will form part of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Two of the eight protocols had already been signed before the framework: the prisoner exchange, signed on September 14, 2025, and the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism (COVM), signed on October 14, 2025. ALSO READ: Goma: Congolese soldier removed from ceasefire monitoring team over identity fraud - reports The other six cover humanitarian access and judicial protection; restoration of state authority, reforms and national participatory governance; interim security arrangements, including disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of local armed groups and neutralisation of foreign armed groups. There is also identity and citizenship, including the return and resettlement of displaced people and refugees; economic and social recovery; and justice, truth and reconciliation. In subsequent negotiations, the parties made progress on a third protocol, concerning humanitarian access and judicial protection, agreeing on key commitments to facilitate the delivery of aid and protect civilians in conflict-affected areas. However, the protocol had yet to be formally signed, while negotiations on the remaining issues continued. The process has faced difficulties in implementing commitments already reached, particularly the release of detainees and compliance with the ceasefire. ALSO READ: DR Congo crisis: Bisimwa criticises mediators for ‘babysitting’ Kinshasa One of the key arrangements under the Doha framework is the COVM, established to oversee implementation of the ceasefire and verify whether the parties are respecting their commitments. The mechanism works with the EJVM+, which operates under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and is responsible for conducting investigations into reported ceasefire violations on the ground. While the COVM provides the overall oversight and verification framework, the EJVM+ carries out field investigations, gathers evidence and verifies reported incidents to establish whether violations have occurred. Its work is intended to give the parties and international observers a clearer account of developments in conflict-affected areas. In April 2026, the Congolese government, the AFC/M23 and the ICGLR signed a memorandum of understanding to operationalise the EJVM+, integrating the regional verification mechanism into the Doha ceasefire arrangements. MONUSCO provides logistical support to its operations. The mechanism's first field verification mission took place in Minembwe, South Kivu, on August 24, following preparations supported by MONUSCO. The mission marked a step towards putting the ceasefire monitoring arrangements into operation. However, allegations of ceasefire violations have continued, with fresh accusations against the Congolese forces (FARDC) and their allies, who include the Kinshasa-backed FDLR genocidal militia, Burundian forces, foreign mercenaries, Wazalendo and other local militias reported on Monday. In a statement issued on November 2, FRN spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused forces aligned with the Congolese government of carrying out overnight bombardments using combat drones in Kuwihene, in the Rugezi sector, and Point Zéro, in the Minembwe region, in South Kivu. Kanyuka said the attacks began at 11:35 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, and have since continued. “In face of this offensive, the forces of the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) are professionally ensuring the protection and defense of the civilian populations targeted,” he said.
