The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have signed a fresh peace framework in Qatar, mediated by the United States and Qatar, to end the devastating conflict in Eastern Congo that has left several thousands dead over the past years.
The eight-chapter agreement aimed to build on partial deals from September and October. The prison exchange was followed by a ceasefire monitored by the Congolese security forces. The remaining six chapters—covering humanitarian access, restoring state control in rebel areas, and refugee resettlement—will be negotiated over the next two weeks, the DRC government said.
In contrast, Benjamin Mbonimpa, head of the M23 delegation in Qatar, said, “There will be no change on the ground until a final peace agreement is reached.”
Meanwhile, US envoy Massad Boulos called it ‘a starting point’, warning that progress would be gradual and slow and that both sides needed to exercise restraint.
Furthermore, Qatar’s Minister of State, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, said that lasting peace and security need “mutual respect and sincere commitment”. Since the July truce, both sides have levelled accusations against one another for violating the ceasefire on multiple occasions.
The M23, one of over 100 armed groups, controls swathes of mineral-rich eastern Congo.
The group’s recent offensive in January-February killed thousands and forced more than 7 million people to flee in what the UN called one of the worst humanitarian crises.
The previous 2025 agreements were largely confidence-building measures. The new framework aims to create ‘real and measurable change’, the DRC stated—though scepticism remains high.
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