DR Congo and M23 rebels reach ceasefire deal in Qatar talks

The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels have agreed to stop fighting. This truce will last until peace talks in Qatar conclude.

This is the latest ceasefire since M23 intensified its offensive in eastern DR Congo. Authorities report that 7,000 people have died since January.

On Wednesday, both sides announced their commitment to peace. They described the recent talks as "frank and constructive."

Last month, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi met Rwandan President Paul Kagame. They reaffirmed their commitment to an "unconditional" ceasefire during a surprise meeting in Doha.

The conflict has escalated since January when M23 launched a major offensive. They seized Goma and Bukavu, the two largest cities in eastern Congo. This raised fears of a wider regional war.

DR Congo accuses Rwanda of arming M23 and sending troops to support them. Despite claims from the UN and US, Rwanda denies supporting the rebels.

Rwanda states its forces act in self-defense against the Congolese army. They accuse some militias of having links to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Additionally, DR Congo accuses Rwanda of illegally exploiting its minerals. Rwanda denies these allegations.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, both sides pledged to support peace talks. They agreed on an immediate cessation of hostilities and rejected hate speech or intimidation.

They called on local communities to uphold these commitments. The ceasefire will last throughout the duration of the talks until they conclude.

Sources from the Qatar talks reported that technical issues nearly derailed progress. It remains unclear how long this truce will hold; previous ceasefires have collapsed since 2021.

Belgium's Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prevot called this truce a crucial step towards ending violence. Qatar has mediated between both parties after M23 refused to attend talks in Angola last month.

The Congolese government had previously refused direct negotiations with M23, labeling it a "terrorist" group.