oluwatosin oyeniyi GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo — Fresh fighting in Masisi territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has underscored the difficulties facing regional peace efforts, with clashes reported a day after African Union (AU) facilitators held consultations with representatives of the M23-linked AFC coalition in Goma.
The renewed violence came as African mediators sought to reinforce ceasefire commitments and revive political dialogue in a conflict that has displaced civilians, disrupted essential services and deepened tensions between the DRC and neighbouring Rwanda.
The AU delegation visited Goma on October 5 as part of efforts to advance an African-led mediation process. Its consultations included discussions with the AFC/M23 leadership, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC and humanitarian organisations.
The latest clashes, however, illustrate the gap between diplomatic commitments and conditions on the ground.
Fighting Continues Despite Diplomatic Engagement
Masisi, in North Kivu province, has been among the areas affected by the wider conflict involving Congolese forces, the M23 movement and other armed groups.
The M23 made significant territorial gains in 2025, capturing Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, the capital of neighbouring South Kivu, after major offensives against Congolese forces.
The movement operates within the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a broader political-military coalition led by Corneille Nangaa. The United Nations and several governments have described M23 as receiving support from Rwanda, an allegation Kigali has disputed in aspects of the wider conflict.
The fighting has persisted despite international efforts to secure a ceasefire and establish a political settlement. Renewed clashes also raise concerns about civilian safety and the prospects for displaced families to return home.
African Union Delegation Seeks Progress
The AU Panel of Facilitators is working to coordinate political engagement and support a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
The delegation that visited Goma included former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
During consultations on October 5, the facilitators met representatives of the AFC/M23, the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus.
The discussions covered the peace process, security conditions, humanitarian needs and measures to build confidence between the parties.
In a statement released on October 7, the panel called for strict respect for ceasefire commitments, cooperation with verification mechanisms and restraint from actions that could undermine negotiations.
It also emphasised civilian protection, accountability for violations and safe, unhindered humanitarian access.
The facilitators said the results of their consultations would be conveyed to the AU mediator and the Congolese government as part of continued efforts to advance the peace process.
Doha and Washington Agreements Face Implementation Challenges
The latest fighting highlights the limitations of peace initiatives that have yet to deliver a sustained cessation of hostilities.
In July 2025, the Congolese government and M23 signed a declaration of principles in Doha aimed at advancing negotiations and establishing a framework for a ceasefire.
Separately, the DRC and Rwanda signed a US-brokered peace agreement in Washington in December 2025. The agreement sought to address security tensions between the two countries and establish commitments intended to support regional stability.
The two processes address connected but distinct dimensions of the crisis: the Doha negotiations focus on the Congolese government and M23, while the Washington agreement addresses relations between Kinshasa and Kigali.
Both face the challenge of translating commitments into changes in security conditions. Continued fighting has raised questions about monitoring, compliance and the willingness of the parties to implement agreed measures.
Further discussions involving the United States, Qatar and the African Union took place in Switzerland in August 2026, reflecting continuing attempts to coordinate international mediation efforts.
Ceasefire Monitoring and Civilian Protection
A ceasefire verification delegation was deployed to the region in late August to help monitor commitments between the Congolese army and M23.
Verification is important because competing accounts of violations can undermine confidence and complicate negotiations. Monitoring mechanisms can help establish what happened, identify breaches and provide information for diplomatic intervention.
However, their effectiveness depends on access to affected areas, cooperation from the parties and the ability to report incidents credibly and promptly.
The AU facilitators have called for full cooperation with verification mechanisms. They have also stressed the need to protect civilians, particularly women and girls, prevent sexual and gender-based violence, and safeguard essential services and educational facilities.
Humanitarian access remains another critical concern. Renewed fighting can prevent aid organisations from reaching affected communities and complicate the delivery of food, healthcare and other essential assistance.
Regional Tensions Complicate the Search for Peace
The conflict in eastern DRC is rooted in a complex mix of armed-group activity, unresolved political grievances, competition over land and resources, and regional security concerns.
The region contains substantial mineral wealth, including deposits of gold, tin, tantalum and tungsten. Competition over mineral-rich areas has contributed to the conflict economy, although the fighting cannot be reduced to resource competition alone.
Relations between the DRC and Rwanda have also remained central to diplomatic efforts. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting M23, while Rwanda has raised security concerns linked to armed groups operating in eastern Congo.
These disputes have complicated efforts to establish a durable settlement and reinforce the need for political engagement alongside security arrangements.
The AU’s mediation process seeks to bring greater coordination to the various diplomatic initiatives while reaffirming the DRC’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
Turning Peace Commitments Into Results
The latest clashes in Masisi underline the urgency of moving beyond declarations and diplomatic meetings towards verifiable improvements in security.
That will require the parties to respect ceasefire commitments, cooperate with monitoring mechanisms and sustain political dialogue. It will also require mediators to coordinate the Doha and Washington processes while addressing the humanitarian consequences of continued fighting.
For civilians in North and South Kivu, progress will ultimately be measured by whether violence declines, humanitarian organisations can reach vulnerable communities and displaced people can return safely.
The African Union has reiterated its commitment to continued mediation and civilian protection. Yet the renewed fighting demonstrates that diplomatic engagement alone cannot guarantee peace.
The immediate challenge is to ensure that the commitments reaffirmed in Goma translate into restraint on the battlefield and tangible improvements for communities living through the conflict.
