DR Congo, M23 Rebels Commit to Peace Deal

2025-07-21 07:55:54

(MENAFN) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and the M23 insurgent faction have vowed to finalize a peace pact by August 18, following prolonged negotiations facilitated by Qatar aimed at resolving decades of mounting conflict in the Central African country.

Officials from DR Congo and representatives of M23 endorsed a declaration of principles in Doha on Saturday, establishing a fresh deadline for peace, according to statements from both parties and the Qatari government.

The document states that both factions agreed “to uphold their commitment to a permanent ceasefire,” which prohibits assaults by air, land, sea, or lake, as well as sabotage, hate propaganda, and any efforts to capture new territory by force.

Kinshasa praised the signing as a step forward toward durable peace in eastern DR Congo and expressed gratitude to Qatar for its mediation role.

Regional and global stakeholders have advocated for a ceasefire in DR Congo since M23 militants escalated their campaign earlier this year in the mineral-abundant east.

The rebels have taken control of important mining centers, including Goma and Bukavu, reportedly causing thousands of deaths. Congolese authorities have consistently accused Rwanda of supporting the armed group.

Last month, Kinshasa and Kigali reached a US-mediated agreement, which US President Donald Trump claimed grants Washington access to local mineral resources.

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