Description: Independent reports issued by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) organization and the United Nations (UN) have confirmed, based on testimonies from individuals in the DR Congo, that M23 rebels have executed and massacred more than 140 civilians in the past month in the North and South Kivu provinces in eastern DRC. The testimonies elaborated in detail the persecution by the armed militants explaining that up to 14 villages were looted and testified to the fact of sexual abuse and other forms of atrocities conducted by the rebels. The reports arrive after a failed conclusion to the previously signed Declaration of Principles between the DRC government and the M23 rebels which was supposed to result in a comprehensive peace agreement on 18 Aug. Qatari mediators despite the evident setback remained cautiously optimistic in achieving the eventual ceasefire agreement in the upcoming period as they stated that serious mediation efforts were being made. Crucial sticking points between the warring sides included exchanges of prisoners and ensuring the impartiality of the implementation of the ceasefire on the ground, through independent mechanisms.
Impact: Trading culpability and shifting responsibilities combined with demanding unreal concessions from both the DRC government and the M23 rebels indicates the ceasefire would further deteriorate, potentially corrupting the entire peace process mediated by the US and Qatar, reiterating the conflict situation towards a perpetual state of war. The M23 rebels experience obvious difficulties in exerting control over other armed groups and militias in the region while the DRC is exploiting the current stagnant state of the peace process to push the rebels out of key strategic points and eventually avoid political capitulation through commitments outlined in the peace agreement. Pressure from the mediators should be exerted on each side in order to ensure continuation of the peace initiative, while other pragmatic points, such as insurance forces on the ground, should be seriously discussed to avoid the complete collapse of the mediated negotiations. Terrorist groups, such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are abusing the momentary vacuum of control and power in several parts of the Kivu provinces to conduct attacks and insert themselves as an influential factor on the ground. Without resolute initiative from both sides and pressure from the mediators, the peace initiative is under serious risk of collapsing entirely, expanding the humanitarian and security crisis in the region.