Congo Rebels, Rwanda-Backed Militias Agree to Talks \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to begin peace negotiations. While both sides pledged to restore state authority, interpretations of the deal differ. The final peace accord is expected by August 18.
Quick Looks
- Congo and M23 rebels signed a peace declaration in Doha, Qatar.
- Agreement aims to restore government control in rebel-held areas.
- Declaration includes prisoner exchanges, state authority restoration.
- M23 disputes the term “withdrawal,” emphasizing state empowerment.
- Congo insists on “non-negotiable withdrawal” of rebel forces.
- Rwanda-backed M23 controls key eastern cities, including Goma.
- Peace deal follows U.S.-facilitated Congo-Rwanda agreement in June.
- Final comprehensive agreement expected by August 18.
- Millions displaced; victims demand justice and reparations.
- U.S. and Rwanda call agreement a “significant step forward.”
Deep Look
In a potential turning point for one of Africa’s most prolonged and deadly conflicts, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group signed a “Declaration of Principles” in Doha, Qatar on Saturday, setting the stage for a comprehensive peace agreement aimed at ending decades of violence in Congo’s mineral-rich eastern provinces.
The historic declaration, brokered by Qatar and attended by senior U.S. officials, lays out mutual commitments to “build trust,” restore state authority, and move toward disarmament. But even as signatures were inked, deep divisions emerged in how both sides interpret the agreement—especially on the contentious issue of territorial control.
What Was Agreed?
According to Qatar’s Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, the document includes provisions for confidence-building measures, such as the exchange of prisoners and detainees and the gradual reestablishment of state governance across all Congolese territories, including those currently held by the M23.
This marks the first direct agreement between the Congolese government and M23 since the rebels made significant advances earlier this year, capturing strategic urban centers like Goma and Bukavu in the eastern region.
The declaration also serves as a bridge to a final, U.S.-facilitated peace agreement expected to be signed no later than August 18. That agreement will incorporate terms from a broader accord signed by Congo and Rwanda in Washington on June 27.
Disputed Interpretations
Despite the document’s historic nature, both sides are already interpreting its language differently.
Bertrand Bisimwa, a senior M23 figure, clarified that the declaration does not mandate a withdrawal of forces. “It is not a question of withdrawal but of mechanisms for empowering the state,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding that empowering government institutions was key to peace, not surrendering control.
Echoing that position, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka told the Associated Press, “We are in Goma with the population and we are not going to get out.”
In contrast, Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya emphasized that the declaration demands the “non-negotiable withdrawal” of rebel forces, followed by the redeployment of Congolese security forces and civil institutions into reclaimed areas.
This growing contradiction highlights the fragile nature of the deal and the difficulties likely to emerge as parties attempt to implement it on the ground.
The Rwanda Factor
M23, short for March 23 Movement, has long been supported—militarily and politically—by neighboring Rwanda, according to the United Nations and human rights groups. The group is one of over 100 armed factions operating in eastern Congo, where nearly 7 million people have been displaced amid frequent violence.
The U.N. has labeled the conflict “one of the most complex and serious humanitarian crises on Earth,” with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire or subjected to forced displacement.
During June’s peace talks in Washington, Rwanda agreed to lift what it called “defensive measures,” widely interpreted as a reference to Rwandan troops operating in eastern Congo. In return, Rwanda demanded that Congo neutralize the FDLR—an armed group harboring fighters accused of participating in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.
Victims Demand Justice
In Goma, a city at the epicenter of M23’s territorial gains, citizens expressed cautious skepticism about the declaration. Many residents say peace is impossible without justice and reparations for the victims of years of bloodshed.
“We cannot build peace without justice and reparation,” said Amani Muisa, a Goma resident. The sentiment is widely shared in the region, where trust in government-led peace efforts has been weakened by years of broken promises and continued violence.
Human rights organizations have called for the inclusion of transitional justice mechanisms in any final peace agreement. Without such provisions, they argue, peace will remain fragile and easily reversible.
Global Response and U.S. Involvement
The U.S. State Department welcomed the signing as “a significant step forward” toward peace in the Great Lakes region. The agreement reaffirms U.S. policy focused on restoring Congolese state authority and ensuring inclusive governance in conflict-prone regions.
Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump who attended the Doha talks, said the most important element of the agreement is the confirmation of Congolese sovereignty in rebel-held cities. “It is time to find a final solution,” Boulos said, emphasizing that peace will require “dialogue, persistence, and mutual accountability.”
What Comes Next?
While the declaration marks a milestone, several unresolved issues threaten its full implementation. Chief among them is M23’s refusal to vacate major cities like Goma and Bukavu, both crucial for regional logistics and trade.
Analysts believe M23’s continued presence is a strategic bargaining chip. Their withdrawal may depend on whether the Congolese government agrees to pardon or release imprisoned rebels, many of whom face death sentences.
Furthermore, regional peace hinges on whether Rwanda will fully disengage from the conflict and remove any covert military support for M23—a long-standing demand of both the Congolese government and international community.
As the clock ticks toward the August 18 deadline for a final peace deal, stakeholders face enormous pressure to bridge gaps in trust, define clear security arrangements, and ensure accountability mechanisms are in place for victims.
The coming weeks could define not only the future of Congo’s eastern provinces, but the stability of the entire Great Lakes region.
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