UN envoy says ceasefire remains elusive in eastern DR Congo despite peace talks

UN envoy Huang Xia told the Security Council on 13 October that fighting persisted in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and a genuine ceasefire remained difficult to achieve. He said the security and humanitarian situation had continued to worsen, despite what he described as encouraging diplomatic progress. [1]

The peace efforts involve different parties. The Congolese and Rwandan governments signed an agreement in Washington in June 2025, while Qatar has facilitated separate talks in Doha between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 armed group. Progress in one set of talks cannot, by itself, settle the other. [1]

Huang called for a stronger African Union role in helping the negotiations deliver on existing commitments. The AU says its facilitators met AFC/M23, the UN mission in Congo and a joint verification mechanism in Goma on 5 October. After those talks, it urged respect for ceasefire commitments and cooperation with verification efforts. [1] [2]

At the Council, the US and Bahrain representatives welcomed ceasefire-verification missions in Minembwe and Masisi. Congo’s representative pressed for implementation and accountability rather than more statements of intent. The immediate test for the diplomatic efforts is whether their commitments bring an end to the fighting. [1]