A mission to verify the ceasefire between the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels began on Monday in the conflict-ridden eastern region of the country.
The deployment followed Switzerland’s announcement on Sunday that the Congolese government and M23 had agreed on a roadmap aimed at advancing peace after fresh negotiations.
Eastern DR Congo has endured decades of violence involving numerous armed groups battling for control of the mineral-rich region. Several international initiatives, led by the United States and Qatar, have sought to end the conflict, resulting in separate agreements between Kinshasa and M23 in July 2025 and between Kinshasa and Rwanda in December.
The ceasefire verification mechanism includes representatives of the Congolese government and M23, alongside observers from member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
According to United Nations and government sources, the team travelled by UN helicopters on Monday to Minembwe in South Kivu province, an area that has witnessed intense fighting in recent months.
The mission is also expected to visit Uvira, where M23 forces withdrew in January, and Kalehe, where clashes have reportedly occurred in recent weeks.
Neither the Congolese government nor M23 has publicly commented on the mission.
The latest initiative comes after several international mediation efforts failed to end the fighting in eastern DR Congo, where numerous armed groups remain active.
In April, Kinshasa and M23 agreed during talks in Switzerland to facilitate humanitarian assistance and release prisoners. The Congolese government earlier this month handed over an initial group of prisoners to M23.
Fresh closed-door negotiations were held between August 17 and 21, with representatives from the United States, Qatar, Switzerland, the African Union Commission and Togo, which is serving as the AU mediator.
The Swiss government said on Sunday that both sides had agreed on the need for a “standardised method for reporting allegations of ceasefire violations.”
They also agreed to establish a mechanism to monitor progress and address challenges in implementing commitments under the Doha Framework Agreement.
Despite the latest diplomatic efforts, tensions remain high. The Congolese government on Monday accused M23 of committing “crimes and serious human rights violations” in areas under its control, alleging that the group killed more than 300 people in June and July.
M23, however, accused government forces of launching what it described as a “deadly attack” with artillery on a village near Minembwe.
The rival sides have repeatedly accused each other of ceasefire violations and abuses, many of which have been difficult for independent observers to verify.
Access to the area around Minembwe, which has remained heavily contested for months, has also been challenging for international humanitarian and monitoring organisations.
Reports by rights groups and UN experts have further accused M23 of suppressing dissent, including targeting journalists and human rights activists in territories under its control.
