In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the fragile peace process is unraveling as both the Congolese army and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group reinforce their military positions. This escalation comes amid missed deadlines for peace agreements brokered by the U.S. and Qatar, raising fears of a renewed regional conflict. The M23, which seized two major cities earlier this year, demands prisoner releases and power-sharing in the territories they control, while the Congolese government refuses to cede authority or release detainees.