Focus on Africa Are DR Congo and M23 rebels nearing a peace deal?
Nov 17, 2025
Phil Clark, a Professor of International Politics at SOAS, dives deep into the DRC-M23 peace negotiations, outlining the complexities of the Doha framework and ongoing atrocities. Professor Chris Piwuna, President of ASUU, highlights the dire state of Nigerian universities facing strikes, emphasizing the need for tangible agreements to resolve grievances. Lastly, BBC sports reporter Piers Edwards breaks down DR Congo's stunning victory over Nigeria, analyzing the implications for their World Cup journey while reflecting on Nigeria's missed opportunities.
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Parallel Peace Tracks Won't Hold
- Doha and Washington host parallel peace tracks that exclude at least one key party from shared negotiations.
- Sustainable peace requires Congo, Rwanda and M23 to sit at the same table and connect these separate processes.
Battlefield Leverage Undermines Talks
- M23 stalls Doha talks because battlefield gains reduce their incentive to negotiate.
- Washington talks are stalled by Congo's distrust of Rwanda and perception of bad faith.
Roadmap, Not A Peace Treaty
- The Doha document is a broad roadmap with eight principles, not a final peace treaty.
- Demobilisation and transitional justice are the two most contentious and unresolved protocols.