Significant progress has been made in ongoing peace efforts between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23), following high-level meetings held from April 13 to April 17 in Montreux, Switzerland.

The discussions, conducted under the framework of the Doha Agreement for a Comprehensive Peace Settlement signed in November 2025, brought together representatives from the DRC, AFC/M23, the United States, Qatar, the Republic of Togo acting as African Union mediator, the African Union Commission, and Switzerland.

A key outcome of the talks was substantial progress toward finalizing a protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection. Both parties emphasized the urgent need to ensure life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches populations in eastern DRC, where conflict has severely impacted civilian life.

The delegations reaffirmed their commitment to international humanitarian law, human rights law, and refugee law. They agreed to safeguard essential infrastructure such as food supplies, water systems, healthcare facilities, schools, and energy services from attacks or disruption.

The parties pledged to facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access, ensuring aid reaches those in need without discrimination. They also agreed to protect humanitarian workers and prevent diversion or misuse of relief supplies.

In addition, both sides committed to maintaining essential services for civilians and ensuring medical care for the wounded and sick, including safe transport of medical supplies and support for healthcare facilities in conflict-affected areas.

A major development was the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), enabling the operationalization of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+). This mechanism will support the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism (COVM), tasked with monitoring and verifying compliance with the agreed ceasefire.

Initial verification missions are expected to begin within a week, supported logistically by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).

As part of confidence-building measures, both sides agreed to release detainees within ten days, in line with earlier agreements. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has assisted by providing verified lists of prisoners.

The parties reiterated their commitment to sustaining momentum in the peace process and advancing negotiations on remaining protocols. They also expressed gratitude to international partners, including Qatar, the United States, Switzerland, Togo, the African Union, and the United Nations, for their continued support in promoting peace and stability in the region.

***Based on official US State Department Press Inputs***