Congo, M23 rebels pledge in Qatar to reach peace deal next month

The M23 rebel group and the Democratic Republic of Congo committed to signing a peace accord by August 18 during a ceremony held in Doha on Saturday, indicating progress while still requiring negotiations on remaining details.

Delegates from each side endorsed a declaration of principles outlining the new schedule, a copy of which was acquired by Reuters, during a ceremony that took place after months of mediation by Qatar following the start of talks in April. The United States, which has facilitated distinct discussions between the governments of Congo and Rwanda, has pushed for the completion of a lasting peace agreement in Congo. President Donald Trump has expressed that he anticipates this will encourage Western investment in a nation abundant in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, lithium, and various other minerals.

The foreign ministers of Rwanda and Congo signed a peace agreement last month and met with Trump at the White House.

At that time, Trump welcomed Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Washington to endorse a set of agreements that may contain economic arrangements. The M23 rebel group has been in control of Goma, the biggest city in eastern Congo, since late January amid ongoing uprisings and has also advanced in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

Rwanda has consistently rejected claims that it has supported M23, which has captured more land in Congo than it has ever controlled before. This year, the conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced numerous hundreds of thousands, while raising the threat of a comprehensive regional war. Numerous countries surrounding Congo had military forces positioned in eastern Congo when the offensive commenced.

Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi said at a news conference Saturday’s declaration “lays the groundwork for a new phase of partnership among the various components of society in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – including armed movements that have chosen to prioritise the greater national interest.”

This was initiated by discussions that occurred after an unexpected meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, facilitated by Qatar in March, where they requested an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire.

Congo had earlier dismissed the notion of engaging in discussions with M23, labeling it a terrorist organization. Although Rwanda has denied backing M23, it claims its troops have responded in self-defense against the Congolese military and Hutu militia members associated with the 1994 Rwandan genocide.