By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have signed a peace deal in Qatar to end prolonged fighting between the two parties.
Under Saturday’s ceasefire deal, dubbed “Declaration of Principles”, the parties agreed that they must refrain from attacks, “hate propaganda” and “any attempt to seize by force new positions on the ground”, and designed as a roadmap towards a permanent settlement.
Last month, DRC and Rwanda, which has repeatedly denied backing the M23 rebel group, signed a US-brokered peace deal. A final ceasefire deal is expected to take place on 18 August, which must align with that of the US.
DRC and M23 agreed to implement the terms of the latest deals with effect from July 29.
Earlier in the year, decades of conflict had escalated when M23 rebels seized control of large parts of the mineral-rich eastern DR Congo, including the regional capital, Goma, the city of Bukavu, and two airports.
According to the United Nations, thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced from their homes following the escalation. But M23 has faulted the UN, saying only less than 1,000 people have died.
DR Congo spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said the deal took the government’s “red line” into account – including the “non-negotiable withdrawal” of the M23 from occupied areas.
In a video posted on X, M23 negotiator Benjamin Mbonimpa, however, said the deal did not mention such a pull-out.
It is the first direct peace pact between the two sides since the rebels launched their offensive earlier this year. But negotiations are set to continue, Qatar said.
The African Union Commission called the declaration a “milestone” in lasting peace efforts and security in the region.
The declaration also outlines a commitment to reinstating state authority in eastern DR Congo held by the rebels.
In March, DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame met in Qatar and both called for an immediate ceasefire.
This was followed by an April ceasefire agreement facilitated by Qatar between DR Congo and M23 group. Fighting, however, continued on the ground.
Analysts have criticised the US-backed deal, calling it a bet by Washington to access vast high-valued mineral resources in DRC.
