DR Congo, M23 Rebels Sign Peace Declaration in Qatar
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have signed a declaration of principles in Doha, Qatar, aimed at ending fighting in eastern Congo. The agreement, finalized on Saturday, comes weeks after direct negotiations in Washington, following months of heavy clashes between government forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. The group’s recent offensives, including the capture of major cities, have killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands. The decades-long conflict has its roots in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with M23 composed largely of ethnic Tutsi fighters. Neighboring countries have deployed troops to the volatile region to prevent the violence from escalating into a full-scale regional war. In March, Qatar mediated a surprise meeting between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, resulting in a call for an immediate ceasefire. This meeting laid the groundwork for the current peace efforts. In June, the United States hosted further talks, where the foreign ministers of DRC and Rwanda signed a peace deal and met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump emphasized strict penalties for any violation of the agreements and pushed for ongoing diplomatic efforts. While the DRC has long labeled M23 as a terrorist group, both sides have now committed to working toward a sustainable peace under the Doha agreement. However, international observers remain cautious, given the history of failed ceasefires and persistent allegations that Rwanda continues to arm and support the rebels—claims Rwanda has consistently denied.
