The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 insurgent movement have agreed to sign a comprehensive peace accord by 18 August, according to a declaration inked Saturday in the Qatari capital after three months of mediation.
The “Doha Principles” document, seen by Reuters, commits the two sides to launch final‑status negotiations no later than 8 August and to work toward restoring state authority “throughout the national territory.” It leaves contentious issues—such as the release of detained M23 fighters, reopening banks in rebel‑held areas, and a timetable for any Rwandan or M23 withdrawal—still to be hammered out.
U.S. pressure
Washington, which has run parallel talks with Kinshasa and Kigali, has pushed hard for a durable settlement in the mineral‑rich Great Lakes nation. President Donald Trump says stability could unlock Western investment in Congo’s vast reserves of cobalt, copper, lithium, tantalum and gold.
Last month the Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers initialed a separate pact at the White House, and Trump invited Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame to Washington to seal wider economic deals.
Battlefield reality
M23 fighters—who seized Goma in late January and have since advanced across North and South Kivu—control more territory than ever before. Kigali denies backing the group; Kinshasa brands it a terrorist outfit. Clashes this year have killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands, prompting neighbouring armies to reinforce their contingents in eastern Congo.
Mediator’s view
Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al‑Khulaifi said the declaration “opens a new chapter of partnership among all components of Congolese society, including armed groups that have chosen the national interest over continued conflict.”
The breakthrough follows a surprise March meeting in Doha between Tshisekedi and Kagame, at which they demanded an “immediate, unconditional” ceasefire.
Sticking points
Delegates from both camps told Reuters the pace of talks remains slow. Kinshasa insists on an “un‑negotiable withdrawal” of M23, government spokesman Patrick Muyaya wrote on X. Rebels want amnesty measures and economic normalisation in areas under their control.
Still, Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, said after Saturday’s ceremony: “We are confident and hopeful. Both presidents have pledged to see this through.”
Whether that optimism survives the next four weeks will determine if eastern Congo finally moves from fragile truces to lasting peace.
