The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have formalized a framework peace deal. This agreement is intended to bring an end to the persistent fighting in eastern Congo. The official signing took place on Saturday in Doha, the Qatari capital.
Path Towards Peace and Implementation
This agreement is the latest in a series of diplomatic steps. These initiatives are backed by both the United States and Qatar. They focus on resolving the conflict, which has spanned decades, claimed thousands of lives, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people this year alone.
Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, a senior Qatari official, stated that the newly signed document sets both parties firmly on a path toward lasting peace. He stressed that peace is built on confidence and mutual respect, not force.
The framework covers eight specific protocols. Representatives from the U.S. indicated that detailed negotiations are still necessary to determine the concrete steps for implementing six of those protocols.
History of Talks and Continuing Violence
Qatar has hosted negotiations between the M23 and the DRC government since April. Earlier milestones included a declaration of principles in July and an agreement reached in October on monitoring a future ceasefire.
The U.S. government led separate mediation efforts between the DRC and a neighboring country accused of supporting the M23. This work resulted in a bilateral peace accord between those two nations in June.
Despite these diplomatic processes, violence continues within the DRC. Local officials reported intense fighting just one day prior to the signing.
Militants allied with the Islamic State group reportedly killed as many as 28 people on Friday in the eastern North Kivu province. The M23 fighters themselves had previously seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, in January.
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