Togo Moves to Revive Peace Talks Between DRC Government and AFC/M23

January 5, 2026 - The government of Togo has initiated efforts to revive peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the AFC/M23 movement, amid renewed violence in eastern DRC. According to diplomatic sources, Lomé was expected to host a high-level mediation meeting on January 17, 2026, aimed at restoring dialogue between the two sides. The initiative was intended to rebuild mutual trust and restart negotiations that have stalled in recent weeks. Other international mediators, including the United States and Qatar, were expected to take part in the meeting. Relations between the DRC government and the AFC/M23 deteriorated sharply in early December 2025, following intense fighting in South Kivu province, particularly in the Rusizi Valley. Tensions further escalated when AFC/M23 fighters entered the city of Uvira, claiming they were responding to continued attacks by Congolese government forces on their positions. On December 16, the AFC/M23 announced its decision to withdraw from Uvira, a move that was carried out two days later. However, the DRC government rejected the withdrawal, and its forces reportedly launched fresh attacks from the Fizi area. In his end-of-year address, AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo disclosed that Qatar had convened two meetings aimed at discussing the implementation of a ceasefire agreement, but said the DRC government declined to attend. According to Nangaa, Kinshasa deliberately chose to sabotage the peace process, favoring a military option, as it had done in previous conflicts. He reaffirmed that the AFC/M23 remains committed to a genuine and lasting peace, and said the movement continues to place its trust in Qatar’s mediation efforts.