Efforts to end the decades-long conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo gained new momentum on Saturday as the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group signed a framework agreement in Doha. The development marks the latest attempt after years of failed negotiations to restore stability to one of the world’s most volatile regions.
The agreement, mediated by Qatar and the United States, is not yet a final peace deal but a roadmap detailing the steps required to achieve one. Benjamin Mbonimpa, who led the M23 delegation, emphasized in a video statement posted on X that the document is only a preliminary guide.
According to Mbonimpa, no immediate changes will take place on the ground until each measure is debated, negotiated, and mutually agreed upon, culminating in a comprehensive peace accord. This cautious approach reflects years of mistrust, recurring violence, and failed ceasefires between the parties.
Eastern Congo has faced unrelenting violence for decades, fueled by ethnic tensions, the struggle for control of lucrative mineral deposits, and regional rivalries. M23 considered the most powerful of over 100 armed groups operating in the region is widely believed to receive military and logistical support from Rwanda, a claim Kigali denies.
Earlier this year, M23 fighters seized Goma and Bukavu, two major cities whose fall signaled a dramatic escalation in the conflict. The violence has displaced over 7 million people, prompting the United Nations to describe the crisis as “one of the most protracted, complex, and serious humanitarian emergencies on Earth.”
The Congolese government confirmed that the document includes eight core measures that will form the backbone of any future peace deal. Two of these measures prisoner releases and the establishment of a ceasefire monitoring body had already been signed in September and October.
The remaining measures, set for negotiation in the coming two weeks, include:
- Restoration of state authority in territories currently controlled by rebels
- Guaranteed humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas
- Organized resettlement of millions of displaced residents
- Additional confidence-building mechanisms between both sides
Government officials said these measures are critical to ensuring sustainable peace, especially in regions where local authority has collapsed and communities remain vulnerable to recurring violence.
Saturday’s signing is the latest chapter in a mediation process that began in April under Qatar’s supervision. Although numerous meetings have been held to set preconditions for peace, both the Congo and M23 frequently accuse each other of violating existing ceasefire terms.
In July, the two sides signed a declaration of principles also in Qatar committing to work toward a final peace agreement. They had planned to complete the deal by August 18, but the deadline passed without progress, with each party blaming the other for breaching earlier commitments.
Still, observers say the new framework agreement keeps the door open for diplomacy at a time when fighting continues to uproot families and destabilize the region.
Massad Boulos, senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, attended the signing ceremony in Doha and described the framework as a “starting point” and a “historic opportunity”. He expressed optimism that the effort would eventually produce fruitful results for both sides.
The Trump administration has been actively involved in facilitating dialogue between Congo and Rwanda, particularly after brokering a peace deal between both nations in June an agreement designed to reduce regional tensions and cut off support for armed groups.
While the framework agreement represents progress, it does not immediately alter the dire situation on the ground. Mbonimpa reiterated that M23 will not halt operations or make any changes in territory until discussions on each measure have been thoroughly completed and incorporated into a final peace pact.
For millions of civilians trapped in the conflict’s shadow, the coming weeks will be crucial. The world will watch to see whether Congo and M23 can finally transform a fragile framework into a lasting peace deal capable of ending one of Africa’s most enduring and devastating conflicts.
