Kigali, Rwanda — The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement signed a declaration of principles in Doha on Friday, agreeing to an immediate ceasefire and the start of formal peace talks. The accord, brokered by Qatari mediators after months of regional violence and failed truces, could mark a pivotal turning point in one of Africa’s most volatile conflict zones.
The M23, a rebel group accused by Kinshasa and the United Nations of war crimes and massacres in North Kivu province, has steadily expanded its control in recent years, including the strategic town of Goma. The Doha pact, signed under Qatari mediation, stipulates that M23 must withdraw from all seized territories and allow the restoration of Congolese state authority, a move many analysts see as non-negotiable to ensure long-term peace.
The agreement outlines a two-phase roadmap: the ceasefire must take full effect before July 29, while comprehensive peace negotiations are scheduled to begin by August 8. Both parties aim to finalize a formal peace accord by August 18. Though ambitious, the timeline reflects regional and international pressure to resolve the conflict quickly, particularly as fighting has displaced more than 1.7 million civilians in the past year alone.
Key provisions of the declaration include the release of prisoners, the return of displaced persons, and the resumption of government services in rebel-held areas. While specifics remain murky, the Congolese delegation insisted that Goma and surrounding regions be cleared of M23 fighters without delay. The rebel group, for its part, has demanded amnesty guarantees and political reintegration, conditions likely to be scrutinized during next month’s talks.
The Doha declaration is notable for including M23 directly, unlike the Washington-led peace accord signed in June between Congo and Rwanda, which excluded the group entirely. Kigali, which denies supporting M23 despite overwhelming evidence from UN experts, remains under diplomatic watch. The Qatari initiative follows a March summit in Doha between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, setting the stage for Friday’s announcement.
Reactions were swift. The African Union welcomed the deal as a “constructive step” toward stability in the Great Lakes region, while the United Nations urged all parties to adhere strictly to the ceasefire terms. Still, skepticism lingers. Previous ceasefires have collapsed due to mistrust, lack of enforcement, and Rwanda’s opaque involvement. With mineral-rich territories at stake, particularly coltan and gold deposits near Goma, implementation of the withdrawal clause could face significant resistance on the ground.
According to Al Jazeera, the Doha signing represents the first direct accord between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group since the outbreak of renewed hostilities in eastern Congo. The report emphasized that previous attempts at peace had excluded M23 from formal negotiations, making this declaration a significant shift in approach. The agreement outlines a clear framework for an immediate ceasefire, monitored implementation, and the eventual restoration of government authority in rebel-held territories—underscoring Doha’s growing role as a strategic diplomatic hub for resolving African conflicts.
According to Reuters, the declaration signed in Qatar commits both the Congolese government and M23 rebels to a ceasefire that will be monitored by regional and international actors, including the United Nations, and sets a clear timeline for peace talks to begin by August 8 and conclude with a final agreement by August 18. The report highlights that this is the first time the M23 has formally entered into a written framework since the group re-emerged in 2021, marking a rare direct concession that could recalibrate the balance of power in eastern Congo if successfully implemented.
According to El País, the Doha declaration commits both the DRC government and the M23 rebels, notably backed by Rwanda, to a binding ceasefire that must take effect by July 29, with formal peace negotiations slated to begin no later than August 8; this is the first time M23 has formally entered such a framework, including mechanisms for supervision, prisoner exchanges, refugee returns, and restoration of state authority across rebel-held territories.
