Congo-Kinshasa: DR Congo Govt, M23 Make Joint Declaration to Work Towards Ceasefire Deal

The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels have pledged to stop fighting. This agreement aims for a permanent truce in eastern Congo. The announcement came after talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar.

Both sides released the same statement on Wednesday. Their delegations had just left Qatar after over a week of discussions. The statement was read on DR Congo national television and shared by an M23 spokesperson.

It said, "Both parties reaffirm their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities." They also rejected hate speech and intimidation. Local communities were urged to support these commitments.

The talks were described as "frank and constructive." The cessation of hostilities will last throughout the talks until they conclude. It remains unclear when another round of discussions will occur.

The text for the statement was prepared on April 17. It awaited approval from Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. He approved it on Wednesday evening, according to RFI's correspondent in Kinshasa.

M23 has made significant advances since January. They seized Goma and Bukavu, eastern Congo's two largest cities. This assault has killed thousands and raised fears of a wider conflict.

Since 2021, more than six truces have been agreed but collapsed again. Maxime Prevot, Belgium's foreign affairs minister, called this a crucial step towards ending violence. Rwanda is a former Belgian colony.

Qatar's latest peace effort follows a surprise meeting last month between Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. After that meeting, both leaders called for a ceasefire.