New negotiations are set to take place in Qatar between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, as efforts intensify to end one of Africa’s most volatile conflicts.

A Qatari official confirmed that a draft peace agreement has been shared with both sides. The mediation comes after Kinshasa and the Rwanda-backed rebels missed their August 18 deadline for a deal under the Doha roadmap signed last month. Despite delays, both parties have reportedly responded positively and remain committed to dialogue.

The roadmap had envisioned talks beginning on August 8 and a final agreement by mid-August. Yet, violence continues to flare in eastern Congo. The Congolese army accuses M23 of launching fresh assaults near Mulamba, breaking an already fragile ceasefire.

Since its resurgence in 2021, the M23 has seized vast territory across North and South Kivu, including major cities such as Goma and Bukavu. The United Nations warns that over two million people have been displaced since January, highlighting the immense humanitarian toll of the conflict.