DRC: Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus DRC Launched

• The Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+) was activated following August talks in Switzerland, mediated by Qatar, the US, and the AU, to monitor the eastern DRC ceasefire.
• Its first deployment occurred on August 24 in South Kivu, aiming to verify a ceasefire agreement reportedly reached in November 2025 between the DRC government and AFC/M23.
• Despite the EJVM+'s launch, significant security risks persist due to ongoing territorial disputes, the absence of force separation, and the strategic use of ceasefires by belligerents.
• The conflict's complexity is amplified by the involvement of multiple armed groups beyond the two primary parties, as well as heightened regional tensions between Burundi and Rwanda.
• The EJVM+'s limited scope and the fragmentation of diplomatic efforts, including parallel US-led mediations, hinder its ability to address all facets of the Eastern DRC conflict.

Despite the formal establishment of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus, the complex, multi-actor nature of the conflict and the mechanism's limited scope mean that significant operational and security risks persist across the region.

The Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+) has been activated, marking a significant step in efforts to monitor the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This mechanism emerged from August discussions held in Switzerland between the DRC government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23, with mediation support from Qatar, the United States, and the African Union. Its primary function is to report to the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism, which is tasked with supervising the implementation of agreements and fostering conditions conducive to de-escalation and dialogue.

Established through the Doha negotiations mechanism Congo, the EJVM+ is designed to verify alleged ceasefire violations committed by both the DRC government and the AFC/M23. Its operational launch represents one of the most concrete advancements under the Doha framework. The initial deployment of this DRC ceasefire monitoring EJVM+ began on August 24 in South Kivu, focusing on verifying a ceasefire agreement for the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which was reportedly established in November 2025.

Despite the formal establishment of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus, the complex, multi-actor nature of the conflict and the mechanism's limited scope mean that significant operational and security risks persist across the region. Expectations for immediate stability should be tempered, as both the government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo M23 ceasefire continue to engage in territorial disputes. This ongoing contestation manifests through drone strikes, active recruitment efforts, and the formation of alliances with various other armed groups.

Historical patterns in the region indicate that belligerents frequently exploit ceasefire periods to strategically reposition or rearm their forces, establish new territorial claims, and consolidate control. A critical limitation of the current ceasefire arrangement is its failure to effectively separate opposing forces, which inherently increases the risk of renewed hostilities. The absence of clearly delineated ceasefire lines, mandated force withdrawals, designated cantonment areas, or buffer zones further exacerbates this precarious situation.

The selection of Minembwe in South Kivu for the EJVM+'s inaugural verification mission underscores the intricate challenges inherent in South Kivu conflict monitoring. This area epitomizes the multifaceted nature of the conflict, characterized by escalating violence. Following the M23's withdrawal from Uvira, the DRC government initiated an offensive towards Minembwe in early 2026, which led to the trapping of civilians and severe restrictions on humanitarian access and the movement of essential goods. By early July, rebel forces had consolidated their control in the highlands, where fighting continues unabated.

Furthermore, the conflict in Minembwe is not confined to the DRC government and the AFC/M23 alone. The armed movement of the Banyamulenge, a Congolese Tutsi community whose citizenship and security have been subjects of contention, has aligned itself with the AFC/M23. Conversely, the Congolese army collaborates with fragmented Wazalendo groups. These localized alliances and rivalries add layers of complexity to any ceasefire monitoring efforts.

The broader regional landscape significantly complicates the efficacy of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus DRC. Heightened tensions between Burundi and Rwanda contribute to the difficulty of effective ceasefire monitoring. Burundian troops are deployed in support of Kinshasa, while Rwanda provides backing to the AFC/M23. This dynamic risks escalating long-standing rivalries and fueling proxy conflicts, potentially through increased Rwandan support for Burundian armed groups.

A fundamental weakness of the EJVM+ is its restricted scope, which is limited to a two-party ceasefire in a conflict involving numerous regional actors and multiple armed groups that often do not consider themselves bound by such agreements. This highlights significant Eastern DRC peace process limitations. Diplomatic efforts are also fragmented; alongside the Doha process, the United States is mediating separately between the DRC government and Rwanda. As the implementation of that peace agreement stalls, Rwanda's military involvement in eastern DRC, along with the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), has persisted. Developments stemming from these parallel diplomatic tracks fall outside the EJVM+'s remit. For instance, rebel withdrawals from Uvira and the Ruzizi Plain in January and May were a result of US diplomatic pressure rather than the Doha negotiations and lacked neutral verification. Although an extension of the EJVM+ mandate to include the Washington Accords has been suggested, the existing ceasefire explicitly excludes the withdrawal of Rwandan forces and the disarmament of the FDLR, meaning the EJVM+ cannot verify these critical commitments and lacks direct links to the mechanisms overseeing the DRC-Rwanda agreement. This fragmentation of diplomatic initiatives presents a substantial hurdle to comprehensive peace.

Lawyers advising clients with interests in Eastern DRC, particularly South Kivu, should note that the deployment of the EJVM+ does not signify a stable or de-escalated environment. The mechanism's limited scope and the complex, multi-actor nature of the conflict mean that significant operational and security risks persist, requiring continued vigilance and robust risk assessments despite formal monitoring efforts.

Source: Original reporting via {source}