(MENAFN) The Democratic Republic of Congo and rebel factions, including M23 (AFC/M23), finalized an agreement on Tuesday in Doha to create a mechanism for overseeing the ceasefire, the government declared.

This move represents the most recent attempt to halt the ongoing violence in eastern Congo.

The signing ceremony was conducted with Qatar acting as the facilitator, while observers from the United States, the African Union, and the United Nations mission in Congo (MONUSCO) were present to witness the event.

According to a statement by the Congolese Communications Ministry posted on the US social media platform, X, “DR Congo delegates and River Alliance/M23 signed on Tuesday the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, under the facilitation of Qatar.”

Earlier in July, the parties had already agreed to the Declaration of Principles ceasefire accord in Doha. However, clashes persist between government troops and M23 rebels, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the ceasefire terms.

The government described Tuesday’s agreement as a significant advance in executing the Declaration of Principles signed on July 19.

By signing the deal, Congo “reaffirms its willingness to achieve the cessation of hostilities, to guarantee the security of the populations, and to prepare the conditions for a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement, within the framework of the Doha process supported by the international community,” stated the ministry.

The M23 rebel group, which has been at the heart of the conflict in eastern Congo, resurfaced in 2021.

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