The M23 rebel group has presented eight demands to the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ahead of the resumption of their long-standing talks in Doha, Qatar.
These demands were announced on Thursday, July 3, during a press briefing in Goma, led by Benjamin Bonimpa, Executive Secretary of AFC/M23, who heads the M23 delegation in discussions with Kinshasa in Doha.
The announcement follows six days after Rwanda was accused in Washington of supporting M23 in peace talks with the DRC.
According to the peace deal, the M23 issue must be resolved in the ongoing Doha negotiations with Kinshasa.
Last month, M23 called their envoy back from Doha after talks produced no results.
Bonimpa told journalists that the Kinshasa government is hindering the talks by devaluing the process. He said Kinshasa’s envoys in previous rounds lacked official mandates, while AFC/M23 negotiators held proper credentials approved by the mediator.
He added that Kinshasa continues to obstruct talks by excluding Lawrence Kanyuka, who claims Rwandan nationality, and by using Bujumbura as a staging ground for FARDC attacks on Goma, Bukavu, and other civilian areas.
✅ M23’s 8 Key Demands:
President Tshisekedi must publicly affirm his government’s commitment to direct dialogue with AFC/M23.
Parliament must revoke its 2022 resolution that labeled AFC/M23 a terrorist group to ensure any Doha agreement is legally recognized.
Death sentences imposed on top M23 leaders must be lifted, and arrest warrants withdrawn; legal proceedings must cease.
All civilians and soldiers detained on suspicion of supporting AFC/M23—often based on identity or trade links—must be released immediately.
Harassment, hate speech, and mistreatment targeting Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese must stop.
The DRC must ease movement of people and goods, and re-open banks in M23-controlled areas, as closures have harmed civilians.
Confiscated property belonging to M23 members must be returned, and compensation paid for damages.
A ceasefire agreement must be signed between Kinshasa and M23.
Kinshasa has not yet stated whether it will comply with these demands or dismissed them outright.
