M23 says Doha peace talks with DR Congo gov't expected to continue cross globe

The March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group said Thursday that discussions with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government are expected to continue in Doha in the coming weeks, following the recent signing of a framework agreement for peace between the two sides.



At a press conference in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province currently under M23 control, M23 officials said talks will focus on key issues such as humanitarian access, judicial guarantees, and the modalities for the release of detainees.



Benjamin Mbonimpa, the group's chief negotiator in Doha, said that ongoing activity by local armed groups threatens the framework agreement's implementation.



"As long as local armed groups are not neutralized, there will be deaths, insecurity, and people will not move freely," he said.



Earlier this week, DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya reiterated that Kinshasa will not cede any territory in the Doha negotiations.



"What is important for Congolese people to know is that in the discussions we are holding, no part of the Congolese territory will be ceded," Muyaya said during a government briefing on Monday, stressing that the country's territorial integrity is non-negotiable.