The M23 rebel group, which has seized large parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, said on Thursday it has not been invited to upcoming peace talks in Doha, raising concerns over delays to the process aimed at ending months of deadly fighting.
Speaking to Reuters, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said the group had not received an official invitation to the negotiations set to begin on August 8 and conclude on August 18. “There is no M23 delegation in Doha for now,” he said.
The talks, part of a mediation process supported by the Trump administration and hosted in Qatar, were expected to build on a July 19 declaration of principles signed by Congo and M23. That agreement committed both sides to begin formal negotiations no later than August 8, with the goal of reaching a peace deal by August 18.
But the lack of progress on prisoner releases—one of the terms outlined in the declaration—has complicated matters. A separate M23 figure, speaking anonymously, said the group would not participate in the Doha meetings until Kinshasa starts honoring the agreement, particularly the release of detained M23 members.
A source familiar with the negotiations said both sides are still working on a mechanism, with the involvement of the International Red Cross, to manage prisoner exchanges. The process, the source said, has taken longer than expected.
A Congolese government official told Reuters that prisoners would only be released after a full peace agreement is signed—not based on the declaration alone.
Meanwhile, Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Félix Tshisekedi, confirmed that Congo remains part of the Doha process and would attend scheduled meetings, though it remains unclear whether formal negotiations will begin on time.
The Trump administration, which has been mediating broader regional talks between Congo and Rwanda, hopes a successful outcome in Doha will help stabilize the resource-rich region and open the door to increased U.S. and Western investment in its critical minerals sector.
M23 captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, in January during a rapid offensive that left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. Rwanda, accused by Kinshasa of backing the rebels, maintains it is acting in self-defense against cross-border threats from Hutu militias and Congolese forces.