The Qatari capital, Doha, witnessed the signing of a Declaration of Principles between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel movement, stipulating a permanent ceasefire. This step is considered pivotal in efforts to end the conflict and achieve national reconciliation in the country.
The signing followed negotiations hosted by Qatar since last March, with direct participation from both parties, under Qatari sponsorship, and international support, including from the United States. Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi affirmed that the agreement paves the way for direct negotiations aimed at a comprehensive peace that addresses the roots of the conflict. He explained that these efforts began with a meeting between the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Doha last March.
Al-Khulaifi pointed out that the Declaration of Principles is not limited to a cessation of hostilities, but rather establishes a practical roadmap for national reconciliation and enhances opportunities for partnership between the various components of Congolese society. He emphasized the importance of both parties’ commitment to a permanent cessation of violence. This announcement follows the Washington Agreement signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda last June, which helped pave the way for the Doha Declaration. Al-Khulaifi considered the declaration a clear commitment to ending violence and paving the way for greater international engagement to support peace and sustainable development efforts in the affected areas.
For his part, the US Presidential Envoy for African Affairs praised Qatar’s role in facilitating the agreement, stressing that Qatar continues its leading role in resolving conflicts regionally and internationally. He pointed out that the war in the Congo has displaced more than 8 million people, while many previous initiatives have not yielded tangible results, making the Doha Declaration a rare opportunity to achieve peace.
It is worth noting that Qatar has contributed to the mediation of several peace agreements over the past two decades, including the Darfur Agreement in Sudan, the Lebanese crisis, and the Afghanistan negotiations, in addition to its current efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
