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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel movement signed an agreement in Doha on Tuesday, October 14, to establish a mechanism for monitoring and verifying a ceasefire, marking a renewed attempt to end years of violence in eastern Congo.
The deal, facilitated by Qatar and witnessed by representatives from the United States, the African Union and the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), builds on the “Declaration of Principles” ceasefire accord signed on 19 July. The Congolese government said the latest agreement reaffirmed its commitment to halting hostilities, protecting civilians, and creating the groundwork for a comprehensive peace deal under the Doha process backed by the international community.
Despite the diplomatic progress, fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels persists, with both sides trading accusations of ceasefire violations. The M23 group, which resurfaced in 2021 and now controls swathes of eastern Congo, including the key cities of Goma and Bukavu, described Tuesday’s agreement as “a significant advancement.” Rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the accord could foster “serenity, peace and security” if Kinshasa honours its commitments, and expressed hope that the deal would end attacks against civilians and pave the way to address the root causes of the conflict.
However, tensions remain high. The Congolese military on Tuesday accused M23 fighters of killing 39 civilians between 6 and 12 October in North Kivu province, alleging that victims were executed in their homes or burnt alive, with properties looted in the process.
Authorities described the killings as “crimes against humanity,” vowing accountability for the perpetrators. M23 has denied involvement in human rights abuses, but rights groups, including Amnesty International, have previously accused both the rebels and pro-government militias such as Wazalendo of atrocities including gang rape, executions and abductions.
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