(MENAFN) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday expressed strong support for a newly signed Declaration of Principles between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the M23 rebel group, officially known as the March 23 Movement (AFC/M23).

“I welcome the signature of the Declaration of Principles between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo & the AFC/M23,” Guterres stated in a message shared on X.

He further emphasized the UN’s ongoing commitment to aiding peace efforts in the region: “The UN remains committed to supporting efforts toward peace, protection of civilians & stability in the DRC in close collaboration with national authorities, regional & international partners,” he added.

The agreement was signed Saturday after several weeks of diplomatic negotiations aimed at reducing violent clashes in eastern DRC.

This latest accord follows a separate peace deal signed on June 27 in Washington between Congo and Rwanda, which sparked optimism about the possibility of ending ongoing hostilities.

The DRC and several Western nations have long accused Rwanda of providing military and logistical support to M23 rebels, allegations that Rwanda repeatedly denies.

M23, a major player in the conflict plaguing eastern Congo, has seized and currently holds large areas of territory, including the strategic provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, both of which fell under its control earlier this year.

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