AFC/M23 Deputy Coordinator Bertrand Bisimwa confirmed the delegation’s trip on his X profile, as part of the implementation of the Declaration of Principles signed by the rebels and the DRC government on July 19 with Qatari mediation.

Bisimwa specified that the envoys’ mission is to assess the practical arrangements for implementing the ceasefire and the release of prisoners under such a declaration.

In addition to reporting the decision, they reiterated the AFC/M23 statement released on Sunday, which affirmed that the negotiations with the Congolese government will only continue with the full implementation of the provisions of the document signed by the parties.

Delegations from both sides were expected to meet on August 8 in Doha to negotiate a final peace agreement, to be signed on August 18, but none of the representatives attended, which raised doubts about the success of the process as the deadline expired on Monday.

The AFC/M23 has insisted that as long as the confidence-building measures of the Declaration of Principles, particularly the release of prisoners, are not implemented, there will be no possibility of an agreement.

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