The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) fragile eastern region faces renewed instability as the Congo River Alliance (AFC)—a coalition that includes the M23 rebels—has accused the Congolese government of violating ceasefire agreements and delaying peace talks.
At a press briefing, AFC leader Corneille Nangaa said the coalition was “obliged to inform the Congolese people and the international community” of repeated ceasefire violations by government forces, which he argued were undermining earlier commitments.
Mediation led by Qatar produced a declaration of principles signed on July 19, 2025, with parties agreeing to begin formal negotiations by August 8 and reach a peace deal by August 18.
However, neither side attended the Doha meetings, and M23 commander Bertrand Bisimwa claimed the rebels never received a formal invitation.
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A Qatari mediator later confirmed that a draft peace pact had been circulated to both parties, who expressed willingness to continue discussions, but no new deadlines were set.
Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting has flared sporadically.
In mid-August, Congo’s army accused the M23 of launching fresh attacks in violation of existing agreements, while rebels countered that government forces and allied militias had carried out operations in South Kivu, undermining the peace process.
Efforts to address the conflict also involve a U.S.-backed Joint Oversight Committee, created on July 31 to monitor compliance with an April agreement aimed at easing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC.
The committee is tasked with reviewing claims that Rwanda supports the M23—allegations Kigali has consistently denied.
President Félix Tshisekedi has pursued regional diplomacy to end the conflict, meeting with leaders from Eastern and Southern Africa in Tanzania earlier this year. Qatar has since positioned itself as a central mediator in the crisis.
The stalemate reflects the challenges of translating diplomatic commitments into lasting peace in eastern Congo, where rich mineral reserves such as cobalt, coltan, and gold continue to fuel both strategic interest and armed conflict.
In May, the government appointed Dane Kondic, former CEO of Air Serbia, to lead LAM’s restructuring.
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The move follows the termination of a contract with South African consultancy Fly Modern Ark, which had been brought in during 2023 to stabilize the airline’s operations.
A fiscal risk report published by Mozambique’s finance ministry last week classified LAM as a “high-risk” entity, emphasizing that without direct government intervention, the carrier’s survival is unlikely.
Bloomberg also confirmed details of the state-backed consortium’s role in the bailout plan.
Despite the challenges, officials are positioning the $130 million SPV strategy as a decisive step toward restoring LAM’s viability and ensuring the airline can expand its fleet while regaining credibility in both regional and international aviation markets.
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