In a significant step toward ending years of conflict, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23 signed a Declaration of Principles agreement in Doha on Saturday. The deal, mediated by Qatar after three months of negotiations, marks the first direct talks between the parties since the M23 rebellion reignited in 2021.
The declaration, finalized after five rounds of talks, commits both sides to:
A bilateral ceasefire, with mechanisms to determine practical modalities.
The release of prisoners and facilitation of “voluntary, safe return” for displaced persons and refugees.
Addressing root causes of conflict—including governance, human rights, and security—in a second phase of dialogue.
Benjamin Mbonimpa, AFC/M23’s delegation head, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the parties agreed “only the peaceful path [will lead to] a solution.”
The AFC/M23, now led by former DRC electoral chief Corneille Nangaa, controls large territories in eastern Congo including Goma and Bukavu after a rapid offensive in early 2025. The coalition vows to combat “tribalism, nepotism, corruption, and genocide ideology” in the DRC.
Despite the breakthrough, mutual distrust persists:
AFC/M23 Accusations: Rebels allege Kinshasa continued military offensives during talks, killing four combatants on July 15 and bombing a humanitarian aid plane in South Kivu in late June. They blame state forces and allied militias (FDLR, Wazalendo, Burundian troops).
Government Stance: DRC spokesperson Patrick Muyaya claimed the deal includes the “non-negotiable withdrawal of AFC/M23 from occupied territories”—a point not confirmed by rebels.
Mbonimpa also accused Kinshasa of obstructing talks by ignoring “confidence-building measures” essential for dialogue.
Muyaya framed the Doha declaration as complementary to the June 27 Rwanda-DRC peace pact signed in Washington, which both nations recently ratified. However, the AFC/M23 was not party to that agreement and has long criticized Kinshasa for collaborating with the FDLR a Rwandan genocidal militia.
While the declaration signals political progress, its success hinges on halting violence on the ground. AFC/M23 reiterated its “determination to protect civilians” amid alleged government offensives. Full details of the agreement remain undisclosed, with substantive issues deferred to future talks.