Qatari mediators have circulated a draft peace agreement to the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement, fulfilling a key step under a Declaration of Principles the two sides signed in Doha on 19 July. The framework envisioned a full accord by 18 August, but that deadline passed without a deal, and the M23 later suspended its participation, saying Kinshasa had failed to respect an earlier cease-fire. Both parties nevertheless told Qatari officials they remain willing to continue negotiations. The diplomatic setback coincides with a surge in violence in eastern Congo. United Nations and local authorities said Islamic State-aligned Allied Democratic Forces fighters killed at least 52 civilians between 9 and 16 August in the Beni and Lubero territories of North Kivu, using machetes and hoes after gathering residents together. MONUSCO condemned the attacks and warned the death toll could rise as searches continue. Separately, Human Rights Watch reported on 20 August that M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan troops, summarily executed at least 140 civilians—mostly ethnic Hutu—in 14 villages near Virunga National Park during July. The rights group said the actual number of dead may exceed 300 and urged the U.N. Security Council and donor governments to expand sanctions and pursue prosecutions. The twin revelations highlight the fragility of U.S.- and Qatar-supported efforts to broker a lasting settlement in one of the world’s most protracted conflicts. More than seven million people are already displaced in Congo, according to U.N. figures. Mediators say talks in Doha are expected to resume, but analysts warn that mutual distrust and continuing atrocities could derail prospects for a comprehensive cease-fire.