DOHA, July 19, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 signed a ceasefire deal on Saturday to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich but conflict-torn east.

The truce was agreed in a Declaration of Principles signed by the two sides 
after three months of talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, which follows a 
separate Congolese-Rwandan peace deal signed in Washington last month.

"The Parties commit to uphold their commitment to a permanent ceasefire," 
including refraining from "hate propaganda" and "any attempt to seize by 
force new positions", said the agreement.

The M23, which seized vast swathes of territory in eastern DRC in a lightning 
offensive in January and February, had insisted on seeking its own ceasefire 
deal with Kinshasa, saying the Washington deal left out various "problems" 
that still needed to be addressed.

The African Union hailed the new deal as a "significant development", saying: 
"This... marks a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting 
peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes 
region".

Under the deal, the warring parties agreed to open negotiations on a 
comprehensive peace agreement.

The deal, which the two sides said aligns with the Washington agreement, also 
includes a roadmap for restoring state authority in eastern DRC.

- Full accord to follow -

Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the deal took account of 
the DRC's "red lines", including "the non-negotiable withdrawal of the M23 
from occupied areas followed by the deployment of our institutions", 
including the national armed forces.

He said a comprehensive peace agreement would follow "in the coming days".

The deal said the two sides had agreed to implement its terms by July 29 at 
the latest, and to start direct negotiations toward a permanent agreement by 
August 8.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are 
due to meet in the coming months to solidify the Washington peace deal, whose 
terms have not yet been implemented.

Previous ceasefire agreements for eastern DRC have collapsed in the past.

Neighbouring Rwanda denies providing military backing to the M23, but UN 
experts say that the Rwandan army played a "critical" role in the group's 
offensive, including combat operations.

Rich in natural resources, especially lucrative minerals, eastern DRC has 
been racked by conflict for more than three decades, creating a humanitarian 
crisis and forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.

Thousands were killed in the M23 offensive earlier this year, which saw the 
group capture the key provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu.

The front line has stabilised since February, but fighting was still breaking 
out regularly between the M23 and multiple pro-government militias.