A major step toward ending years of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was taken on Saturday as the DRC government and M23 rebels signed a declaration of principles in Doha, Qatar, aimed at ending the long-running conflict that has devastated the region.
The historic agreement comes after months of fierce clashes between Congolese forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which escalated earlier this year with M23’s capture of key eastern cities. The fighting has killed thousands and displaced over 800,000 civilians in 2025 alone, raising fears of a wider regional war involving multiple neighbouring countries.
The Doha declaration, brokered by Qatar and backed by the African Union, marks the first formal step toward peace between the two sides after years of hostility. It was signed in the presence of Qatari mediators and African Union observers, signalling international support for the peace process.
“This agreement marks a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region,” said African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in a statement released shortly after the signing.
The M23, a Tutsi-led rebel movement with historical links to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has long been at the heart of violence in eastern Congo. For years, the DRC government had refused to negotiate with M23, labelling them a terrorist group. But pressure from regional powers and a surprise March summit in Doha between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame paved the way for talks.
According to Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani, reporting from Goma, the declaration offers new hope to communities shattered by war. “The situation has been very unstable on the ground. This declaration opens the door for more inclusive dialogue and may finally create space to address the deeper roots of the conflict,” he said.
The agreement outlines a shared commitment to restoring state authority across all of DRC’s national territory. However, it does not yet include key details, such as the withdrawal of M23 forces or alleged Rwandan troops from occupied regions, a point of contention in previous ceasefire efforts.
Still, Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya took to X (formerly Twitter) to affirm that the document “takes into account the red lines we have always defended, including the non-negotiable withdrawal of M23.”
Under the terms of the declaration, formal peace negotiations are expected to begin by August 8, with both sides aiming to reach a final peace agreement no later than August 18.
International efforts to support the peace process have also involved the United States. In June, DRC and Rwanda held direct talks in Washington, culminating in the signing of what senior Trump adviser Massad Boulos referred to as the “Washington Accord.” U.S. President Donald Trump met with both nations’ foreign ministers, warning of “very severe penalties, financial and otherwise” should either party breach the agreement.
While Saturday’s declaration falls short of ending the conflict entirely, it has laid a critical foundation for peace. The road ahead remains uncertain, with trust between the two sides still fragile and questions lingering over the implementation of key provisions.
For now, however, the people of eastern Congo, many of whom have lived through decades of instability, have reason to hope.
Read also: DR Congo: Former President Joseph Kabila Stripped of Immunity Amid M23 Rebel Allegations.
