By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@ReutersPhoto.
The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have signed a framework for peace.
The ceremony was held in Qatar, alongside the United States and the African Union (AU).
Qatar, along with the United States and the African Union have been engaging for months in talks aimed at ending the conflict in DR Congo’s mineral-rich east, where the M23 has captured key cities.
DR Congo and M23 inked a ceasefire deal and an earlier framework in the Gulf emirate in July 2025, but despite the agreement reports emerged of violations, with both sides accused of breaking the truce.
Addressing a press conference in Doha on Saturday, Qatar’s Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi said the latest agreement enhances the process in order to “find peaceful solutions through dialogue and understanding” to re-establish calm in the DRC.
The agreement includes eight implementation protocols, two of which have already been signed, including one on ceasefire monitoring and another on prisoner exchange.
The rest of the protocols are expected to be discussed and finalised over the coming weeks. They will include a timeline as well as details on how different processes will work, how humanitarian aid will be allowed to reach the ailing population, and how to enable the return of refugees and internally displaced people.
Restoring state authority, implementing economic reforms, reintegration of armed groups into the government and the elimination of foreign groups are among other protocols that will need to be finalised.
Both sides have agreed to establish an independent committee to implement the peace process, and also to provide recommendations for recompensation within the framework of national reconciliation, which will be in line with the constitution of the republic, Al-Khulaifi said.
Massad Boulos, a senior advisor and envoy for US President Donald Trump who represented Washington in the talks, thanked the state of Qatar and other stakeholders who assisted the process, including the African Union and the state of Togo.
“Today is a historic occasion in many ways,” he said, referring to the framework deal on DRC as a “launching pad” for an eventual peace deal that will be built based on previous and ongoing negotiations.
“People were expecting some immediate results on the ground, but this is a process, this is not a light switch that you can turn on and off, and there are many angles to it,” Boulos said.
The Trump administration has led mediation efforts between Rwanda — which is accused of backing M23 — and Congo, leading to the signing of a peace deal between the two countries.