African Union Warns Peace Deals Have Not Halted Eastern DRC Fighting

Kinshasa, August 30, 2026 - The African Union chair warned that fighting was continuing in eastern DRC despite recent peace agreements, highlighting the limited impact of diplomacy on conditions in North and South Kivu.

The remarks came in the context of African Union engagement after the Washington and Doha accords, which were intended to support de-escalation and a political pathway out of the conflict. Combat involving FARDC, allied Wazalendo fighters and AFC/M23 forces has nevertheless persisted across key frontlines.

The continued violence raises questions about monitoring, enforcement and the willingness of armed parties to translate diplomatic commitments into battlefield restraint. For the DRC, the credibility of regional and international mediation remains closely tied to whether agreements can produce measurable security gains in the east.