A draft peace deal between Congo's government and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels aims to restore government control over rebel-held areas.

M23 rebels killed at least 140 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last month in one of the worst atrocities by the armed group since its resurgence in late 2021, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said in a report. This is despite a peace process, brokered by the US and Qatar, to end the conflict in the region.

In March, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha hosted a meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame, whereafter both leaders called for a ceasefire. Since then, subsequent talks have been held with the DRC and the M23.