KEY POINTS
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DR Congo and M23 rebels signed a ceasefire in Doha to halt violence in the conflict-ridden east, following earlier failed attempts.
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The deal demands M23’s withdrawal from occupied areas and sets a roadmap for broader peace talks and state restoration.
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While welcomed by the African Union, analysts remain cautious due to the fragile nature of previous ceasefire agreements and ongoing regional tensions.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwandan-backed rebel group M23 have signed a ceasefire deal aimed at halting the devastating violence that has gripped the country’s eastern provinces. The agreement, brokered after three months of negotiations in Doha, Qatar, comes after a bloody campaign by the rebels that left thousands dead and displaced tens of thousands more.
The truce, outlined in a Declaration of Principles, commits both parties to “a permanent ceasefire” and includes a ban on “hate propaganda” and “any attempt to seize by force new positions”. This commitment follows a separate peace accord signed last month in Washington between the DRC and Rwanda, although the M23 had previously rejected that deal, arguing that it failed to address several lingering issues.
African Union hails deal as milestone
In January and February 2025, M23 launched a lightning offensive across eastern DRC, seizing key cities including Goma and Bukavu. The military gains underscored the weakness of state authority in the mineral-rich region and the continued influence of foreign actors, particularly Rwanda, which the UN has accused of playing a “critical” combat role—an allegation Kigali denies.
Under the new ceasefire terms, the DRC government secured major conditions, notably the “non-negotiable withdrawal of M23 from occupied areas”, as stated by Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya. He added that state institutions, including the national army, will be redeployed to retake control.
Both sides agreed to implement the ceasefire terms by July 29 and to begin direct negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement by August 8. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are expected to meet in the coming months to reinforce the political framework for the ceasefire and finalize economic arrangements.
US President Donald Trump, who played a symbolic role in the Washington deal, had previously claimed to have secured a deal for access to DRC’s vast mineral reserves—an aspect that remains highly controversial and largely opaque.
Eastern DRC, plagued by armed conflict for over three decades, is rich in coltan, cobalt, gold, and other strategic minerals. These resources have often served as both motive and fuel for the cycle of violence in the region. Humanitarian organizations warn that while the front lines have calmed since February, sporadic clashes between M23 and pro-government militias persist, threatening to undermine the fragile truce.
Analysts caution that while the ceasefire is a step forward, its success will depend on full compliance, inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, and regional cooperation to limit external interference.
As a reminder of past setbacks, previous ceasefires in the region have repeatedly collapsed due to non-compliance, lack of enforcement mechanisms, and distrust among parties. Still, the African Union called the latest deal a “significant development”, expressing hope that it marks a turning point in efforts to bring stability to the troubled Great Lakes region.
