Ceasefire monitoring mission deploys to eastern DRC's South Kivu

August 25, 2026 at 01:48 AM2 min

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A joint monitoring mission has deployed to Minembwe in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to verify the ceasefire between the DRC army and M23 rebels. The mission includes Congolese government and M23 members plus observers from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. Fighting has continued in the mineral-rich region despite the Qatari-mediated truce.

Key Facts

The monitoring mission deployed to Minembwe in South Kivu province, where intense fighting has persisted in recent months.
The mission is composed of members of the Congolese government and M23, as well as observers from member countries of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
The DRC and M23 agreed on a roadmap for peace talks after closed-door negotiations, announced by the Swiss government on Sunday.
The DRC condemned alleged M23 crimes and rights violations, accusing the group of killing more than 300 people in June and July.
The mission will visit Uvira, from where the M23 withdrew in January, as well as Kalehe, where fighting has been reported in recent weeks.

Mission Deployment

The United Nations and government sources said on Monday that the monitoring team had arrived to track the progress of the Qatari-mediated truce. The UN said that the mission had deployed to Minembwe, located in the country's mineral-rich South Kivu province, where intense fighting has persisted in recent months. Local journalists reported that the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) provided logistical support for the deployment. The mission will visit Uvira, from where the M23 withdrew in January, as well as Kalehe, where fighting has been reported in recent weeks.

Ceasefire Violations

Despite the agreement to end the hostilities, fighting has continued on the ground. In a statement on Monday, the DRC condemned alleged M23 crimes and serious rights violations in territory under its control, accusing the group of killing more than 300 people in June and July. The M23 has rejected the accusations. A spokesperson for the group said on X that government forces had launched a deadly attack with artillery on a village near Minembwe.

Peace Efforts

Peace efforts led by Qatar and the United States have sought to end the crisis, leading to the signing of two separate accords. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed a peace and economic agreement in December aimed at ending fighting, five months after the two agreed to a ceasefire. However, fighting has continued on the ground. Both sides have accused the other of alleged abuses and ceasefire violations.