The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have agreed to a ceasefire, according to a joint statement released following negotiations in Doha, Qatar. The truce comes as both parties explore a broader peace deal after months of deadly conflict in the eastern region of the country.
The agreement, announced late Wednesday, includes an immediate cessation of hostilities and a firm rejection of hate speech and intimidation. Both parties urged local communities to respect the terms of the deal and contribute to efforts aimed at restoring peace.
The ceasefire is expected to hold throughout the ongoing negotiations and until a final resolution is reached.
The diplomatic efforts signal a possible turning point in a conflict that has dragged on for years. The M23 rebellion, largely composed of ethnic Tutsi fighters, has its roots in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Many of its members were once integrated into the Congolese army but later defected, citing marginalisation and broken agreements.
Since 2021, several ceasefire deals have been made and broken, with the latest round of violence since January resulting in thousands of deaths and the capture of major cities. As peace talks proceed, the international community remains cautiously optimistic about the path forward.
