The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels have signed a ceasefire agreement in Qatar aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between them. Known as the Declaration of Principles, the deal stipulates that both sides must avoid attacks, hateful propaganda, and any attempts to gain new territory through force. It’s designed as a stepping stone toward a lasting peace, with both parties expected to implement its terms by July 29 and reach a final settlement by August 18. That settlement must reflect the spirit of a recent US-brokered accord between DR Congo and Rwanda, which denies backing the M23 group. The conflict escalated earlier this year when M23 seized control of key areas in eastern DR Congo, including Goma, Bukavu, and two airports. While the UN reports thousands of deaths and mass displacement, M23 contests this, saying fewer than 1,000 have died. DR Congo’s spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said the agreement honors the government’s “red line” most notably, the non-negotiable withdrawal of M23 from captured areas. However, M23 negotiator Benjamin Mbonimpa, in a video posted online, said the accord doesn’t specifically call for a pull-out.
This is the first direct deal between the sides since M23 began its latest offensive. Qatar confirmed that talks will continue, and the African Union described the declaration as a milestone toward peace and stability. The agreement also promises to restore state authority in eastern DR Congo. Still, it’s worth noting that peace deals in the region have repeatedly collapsed. M23 itself was born out of a failed agreement 16 years ago that never led to demobilisation. In March, DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met in Qatar to urge a ceasefire. By April, a Qatar-mediated truce was announced between DR Congo and M23, though violence persisted. A subsequent US-led deal in June drew criticism for what many see as strategic interest in DR Congo’s mineral resources former President Trump publicly praised the deal. There’s speculation about a future meeting in Washington between Tshisekedi and Kagame hosted by Trump, but no date has been confirmed.
