Doha: The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 have signed a ceasefire deal to halt the fighting that has severely impacted the mineral-rich eastern region of the country. The agreement, formalized through a Declaration of Principles, was reached after three months of negotiations in Doha and follows a previous peace deal between Congo and Rwanda signed in Washington last month.
According to Nam News Network, the agreement emphasizes the commitment of both parties to uphold a permanent ceasefire, which includes refraining from hate propaganda and avoiding attempts to seize new positions by force. Furthermore, the agreement outlines the initiation of negotiations for a comprehensive peace settlement and a roadmap for restoring governmental authority in eastern DRC.
Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya stated that the deal respects the country's red lines, such as the mandatory withdrawal of M23 forces from occupied areas, followed by the deployment of national institutions, including the armed forces. A comprehensive peace agreement is expected to be pursued in the coming days.
The ceasefire terms are set to be implemented by July 29, with direct negotiations for a permanent agreement commencing by August 8. Additionally, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are scheduled to meet in the upcoming months to reinforce the Washington peace agreement, which remains unimplemented.
Despite Rwanda's denial of providing military support to the M23, UN experts have reported that the Rwandan army has played a significant role in the group's recent offensives. The eastern region of the DRC, rich in natural resources and minerals, has experienced ongoing conflict for over three decades, resulting in a humanitarian crisis and displacing hundreds of thousands of residents.
Earlier this year, the M23 offensive led to the capture of key provincial capitals, Goma and Bukavu, causing thousands of casualties. Although the front line has stabilized since February, clashes between the M23 and pro-government militias have persisted.