The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have signed a declaration of principles in a bid to end nearly four years of fighting in eastern Congo.
The agreement was signed on Saturday in Doha, Qatar, with Massad Boulos, the U.S. Special Envoy for Africa, acting as a witness. The Qatari government has played a central role in facilitating the peace talks between the two sides.
This marks a significant step toward ending the long-standing conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands and destabilized one of Africa’s most mineral-rich regions.
While the declaration outlines broad principles, details of implementation, including a ceasefire timeline and reintegration plans for M23 fighters, are yet to be finalized.
Peace in the eastern Congo has remained elusive for years, with regional tensions between Rwanda and Congo further complicating efforts. The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels—a claim Rwanda has denied.
Observers hope that the involvement of international mediators like Qatar and the U.S. will give the agreement the political weight and diplomatic backing needed to move beyond symbolic gestures.
The parties are expected to reconvene in coming weeks to negotiate concrete steps toward disarmament, return of refugees, and security guarantees for local communities.
