After months of negotiations in Doha, Rwanda has welcomed a landmark declaration of principles signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, aimed at ending decades of conflict in the eastern DRC.
The agreement, mediated by Qatar and building on earlier efforts by the African Union, outlines core principles designed to address the root causes of the long-running conflict and pave the way for continued dialogue toward a comprehensive peace deal.
“The declaration in Doha is a significant step forward toward the peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern DRC, by addressing the root causes of the conflict and restoring security and stability in our region,” said a statement from Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Rwanda also praised Qatar’s mediation role and reaffirmed its commitment to contribute to sustainable peace and economic development in the Great Lakes region. The statement underlined the importance of sustained progress after a recent peace accord between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington, which called for a cessation of hostilities between the neighboring states.
The eastern DRC, long plagued by instability, saw violence spike in late 2021 when M23 resurged and seized major provincial hubs. Analysts say that the Doha declaration could unlock regional cooperation, accelerate recovery efforts, and open new opportunities for investment and social development.
Observers note that continued dialogue and international support will be crucial to turn the principles into lasting peace, benefiting millions of residents in one of Africa’s most resource-rich yet conflict-affected zones.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
