The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 movement signed a declaration of principles on Saturday in Doha, establishing a permanent ceasefire — a major milestone toward peace and national reconciliation.
The agreement follows months of intense negotiations since March, brokered by Qatar and backed by international partners, including the United States.
Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi hailed the agreement as a “new chapter” in relations between the conflicting parties, laying the foundation for broader talks toward a lasting peace.
He also noted Qatar’s pivotal role in facilitating the process, which began with a landmark meeting in March between the Congolese and Rwandan presidents hosted in Doha.
The U.S. Special Envoy for African Affairs praised Qatar’s efforts, calling the agreement a “historic opportunity” to end a conflict that has displaced over 8 million people.
This announcement builds upon the Washington Agreement signed in June between the DRC and Rwanda, which paved the way for the current peace initiative.
