A new round of negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo's government and the AFC/M23 rebel alliance (an eastern Congolese armed movement backed by Rwanda) has opened in Geneva, Switzerland — the first time talks have been held in that country. The rebel delegation, led by secretary-general Benjamin Mbonimpa with René Abandi as chief negotiator, travelled from Goma and the United States, while the government is represented by Sumbu Sita Mambu, a senior envoy of President Tshisekedi. Notably, Qatar — which hosted earlier rounds in Doha — is participating only by video link, while the United States has upgraded its role from observer to facilitator and MONUSCO (the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC) will attend as an observer, with Switzerland's foreign ministry organising and hosting the discussions as fighting continues in the country's east.