By Charles Pemu 
DOHA, QATAR – A monumental step towards ending years of brutal bloodshed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was achieved today, July 19, 2025, as the DRC government and the M23 rebel group signed a historic “Declaration of Principles” in Doha, Qatar. Brokered by the State of Qatar with crucial backing from the United States and the African Union, this agreement sets a definitive path toward a comprehensive peace deal aimed at resolving one of Africa’s most prolonged and devastating conflicts.
The signing ceremony in Doha was attended by senior Qatari diplomats, U.S. representatives, AU officials, and regional envoys, underscoring the international community’s commitment to peace in the Great Lakes region. The “Declaration of Principles” is a critical component of a broader dual-track peace initiative—the “Doha and Washington Tracks”—designed to consolidate regional diplomacy and finally bring stability to North Kivu and surrounding provinces.
Decades of Conflict, Recent Offensives Eastern DRC has endured more than two decades of relentless conflict, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis and displacing over a million people. The M23, which resurfaced in recent years, launched devastating offensives in 2022 and again in early 2025. In a matter of weeks, the rebel group seized control of key cities including Goma and Bukavu, triggering widespread alarm and warnings of a broader regional war. Thousands have been killed in these offensives, and while the front line has largely stabilized since February, fighting between M23 and multiple pro-government militias still breaks out regularly.
The Road to Doha: Diplomatic Progress After months of shuttle diplomacy and mounting international concern, the governments of Rwanda and the DRC agreed to attend peace talks in Doha, hosted by Qatar. A pivotal moment came in March 2025, when President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC held their first face-to-face meeting in years, agreeing to an immediate ceasefire. This set the tone for direct negotiations between Kinshasa and M23, mediated by Qatari diplomats and supported by the U.S. State Department.
A breakthrough in June saw the United States host Congolese and Rwandan delegations at the White House, where they signed the “Washington Accord,” a key framework agreement witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump hailed the deal as a “defining moment for peace in central Africa,” warning both sides that violations would attract “severe consequences—financial or otherwise.”
Declaration of Principles: What the 13-Page Accord Contains The comprehensive 13-page document signed in Doha today outlines several core components essential for future peace:
- Commitment to Peace and Sovereignty: Both sides reaffirmed respect for the DRC’s sovereignty, commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, national unity, civilian protection, and the rejection of hate speech.
- Permanent Ceasefire: A comprehensive ceasefire comes into effect immediately, halting all military actions and provocations. An Oversight and Verification Mechanism, potentially involving MONUSCO, the African Union, and Qatari observers, will be established.
- Confidence-Building Measures: Agreements include setting up an ICRC-facilitated mechanism for prisoner release, guaranteeing safety for civilians, and avoiding inflammatory public statements to prevent ceasefire breaches.
- Restoring Government Authority: A phased process will return control of M23-held strategic towns to Congolese civilian authorities, involving the deployment of police and civil servants in consultation with community leaders.
- Return of Displaced Persons: A central pillar is the safe and voluntary return of over one million displaced civilians, with cooperation from UNHCR and regional governments on tripartite repatriation agreements to ensure dignity and security.
- Role of MONUSCO and Regional Bodies: MONUSCO’s mandate will be extended to monitor the ceasefire, support disarmament, and assist civilian protection, with support from ICGLR and the East African Community.
- Roadmap to Final Peace Agreement: The declaration sets tight timelines: implementation must begin within 10 days; direct talks no later than 10 days after, following the Washington Accord roadmap; and a final, legally binding peace agreement is to be signed within 7–10 days of those talks commencing.
The Human Cost and International Acclaim During the Doha talks, both delegations acknowledged the immense suffering endured by civilians, with entire towns emptied and families torn apart. In a joint statement after the signing, representatives committed to “turning the page on violence,” asserting, “Our people deserve peace, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their lives.” One delegate poignantly added, “This is not a victory for any one side. It’s a victory for every Congolese child who wants to go to school and every mother who wants to return home.”
International reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Qatar’s foreign ministry hailed the signing as “a landmark in African diplomacy.” The White House expressed strong support, aligning the declaration with the principles of the Washington Accord, with U.S. senior envoy Massad Boulos noting, “The world was watching, and both sides delivered.” The AU Commission Chairperson applauded the agreement, offering continued support, while the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy urged swift action.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Hope Despite the optimism, analysts caution that numerous past peace deals in the volatile region have collapsed, and trust between parties remains low. Key risks include potential spoilers, delays in reintegration of M23 fighters, political instability ahead of upcoming DRC elections, challenges in returning displaced populations, and ensuring justice for war crimes.
Nevertheless, this detailed and comprehensive agreement marks the first time since the 2013 Kampala talks that the Congolese government and M23 have reached such a significant accord. Observers believe that if these commitments are meticulously followed, the agreement could stabilize eastern Congo and significantly improve relations with Rwanda, whose alleged involvement with M23 has long strained ties with Kinshasa.
Final talks for the comprehensive peace agreement are anticipated in Washington D.C., where President Kagame and President Tshisekedi are scheduled to meet later this month to finalize a regional security framework and announce a new cross-border economic cooperation pact. For millions of Congolese citizens and refugees, today’s declaration rekindles a fervent hope that peace will finally become a lived reality, not just a promise on paper.