DRC Government and AFC/M23 Prepare for Switzerland Peace Talks Amid Mutual Accusations

April 10, 2026 - Delegations from the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the AFC/M23 coalition are expected to meet in Switzerland from April 13 to 17, 2026, for renewed peace talks aimed at addressing the conflict in eastern Congo. The discussions are being facilitated by Qatar, with logistical support from Swiss authorities. According to reports, Qatari representatives may participate remotely due to ongoing geopolitical constraints affecting earlier mediation arrangements in the region. International actors are also expected to take part in the negotiations, including U.S. Special Advisor for African Affairs Massad Boulos, Deputy Head of MONUSCO operations Vivian van de Perre, and Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region International Conference on the Great Lakes Region representative Mubita Luwabelwa. The AFC/M23 delegation will be led by its permanent secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa, while the composition of the government delegation has not yet been disclosed. A key focus of the talks is expected to be humanitarian access in conflict-affected areas, including the possible reopening of Goma International Airport, which has been under AFC/M23 control since January 2025. International partners have repeatedly called for improved access to facilitate relief operations for civilians. The talks come amid continued mutual accusations between the two sides. AFC/M23 has accused government forces of ongoing attacks involving drones and heavy weapons in areas under its control, while the government maintains its position on restoring territorial authority and national sovereignty. Previous agreements between the parties, including ceasefire monitoring mechanisms involving MONUSCO and regional forces, have yet to be fully implemented. Similarly, arrangements involving the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for prisoner transfers and humanitarian coordination have seen limited progress. Despite these challenges, mediators and international stakeholders continue to push for confidence-building measures, including prisoner exchanges and the operationalization of monitoring frameworks agreed in earlier rounds of negotiations.