The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have signed a landmark truce aimed at ending the long-standing conflict in the country’s eastern regions.
The agreement, signed on Saturday in Doha, the capital of Qatar, establishes a permanent ceasefire across land, air, and water. It also prohibits acts of sabotage, hate propaganda, and any attempt to seize new territory by force.
Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, welcomed the breakthrough, stating: “The Declaration of Principles signed on Saturday paves the way for direct negotiations toward a comprehensive peace that addresses the deep-rooted causes of the conflict, with a commitment to implement the agreement’s articles responsibly.”
Both the Congolese government and the M23 rebels have pledged full cooperation with international and regional bodies. Bertrand Bisimwa, president of M23, emphasized the restoration of state authority as a key component of the truce:
“The Declaration of Principles signed today in Doha provides, in particular, for the restoration of state authority throughout the national territory. This is not a matter of withdrawal, but rather of mechanisms to empower the State to fulfill its responsibilities and obligations.”
Government spokesperson Patrick Katembwe Muyaya said the agreement aligns with both national and international legal frameworks:
“The Declaration of Principles, recently signed in Doha with the AFC/M23 under Qatar’s facilitation, is based on full respect for the DRC Constitution, the Charters of the United Nations and the African Union, international law, and Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2773. It reflects our non-negotiable demand for the withdrawal of M23 from occupied areas, followed by the deployment of our institutions, including the FARDC, PNC, judiciary, and civil administration.”
Muyaya noted that the declaration sets the stage for a comprehensive peace agreement expected in the coming days, in line with President Félix Tshisekedi’s goal of restoring lasting peace to eastern DRC. The truce has been welcomed by the Rwandan government and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Despite the agreement, M23 rebels continue to control key areas in North and South Kivu provinces, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu, as well as Goma International Airport and Kavumu Airport.
The M23 rebellion, which resurged in 2022 under the leadership of Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga, has been a source of deep tension in the region. The Congolese government continues to accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebel group—a claim both Rwanda and M23 deny. The rebels maintain their struggle is aimed at ending corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the DRC’s leadership.
Final peace talks are scheduled to conclude by August 2025.