Rwanda has welcomed a landmark peace declaration signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, mediated by Qatar in Doha. The agreement, finalized on Saturday, outlines core principles to end years of conflict in eastern DRC and paves the way for further negotiations toward lasting stability.
The declaration follows months of talks facilitated by Qatari mediators, building on African Union-led regional efforts. Rwanda’s Foreign Ministry praised the deal as a “significant step forward” addressing root causes of the conflict while emphasizing the need for continued international support. “We all have to support continuation of progress to the conclusion,” the ministry stated.
This development comes weeks after Rwanda and the DRC reached a separate bilateral agreement in Washington to de-escalate tensions. Relations between the neighbors have long been strained by mutual accusations: the DRC alleges Rwandan support for M23 rebels, while Rwanda claims Congolese forces collaborate with groups linked to the 1994 genocide.
Eastern DRC has faced decades of instability, with violence escalating sharply since M23’s resurgence in late 2021. The rebel group now controls key territories, including parts of North Kivu province. Analysts suggest the Doha-mediated process could mark a turning point if implemented effectively, though past peace efforts have seen limited success.
