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DR Congo and M23 Conclude Fresh Peace Accord in Doha, Yet Significant Obstacles Remain

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 insurgent group have concluded a new framework pact in Doha, intended to chart a viable route toward de-escalating the intensifying unrest in eastern Congo. The agreement—ratified on Saturday in Qatar’s capital—represents the newest effort by international facilitators, particularly Qatar and the United States, to bring stability to a region long devastated by persistent warfare, widespread displacement, and recurring humanitarian emergencies.

While the accord has been welcomed as a significant diplomatic milestone, authorities underscored that it constitutes only an initial phase in a protracted and intricate journey toward lasting peace. The eastern territories of North Kivu and South Kivu continue to experience some of the most brutal violence in recent years, with thousands losing their lives and hundreds of thousands uprooted as M23 and multiple militias engage in relentless battles.

Eight-Point Accord Still at a Nascent Stage of Execution
U.S. Special Envoy Massad Boulos explained that the newly established framework outlines eight key provisions designed to steer disarmament, reintegration efforts, ceasefire oversight, and humanitarian coordination. Yet he noted that concrete action plans for six of these provisions are still being debated.

He further admitted that progress on the two earlier commitments — the exchange of detainees and mechanisms for supervising the ceasefire — has also been slower than anticipated.

“Advancement has not moved at the pace many wished for, but the pursuit of peace is inherently incremental,” he remarked, cautioning that immediate shifts in conditions on the ground are unlikely.

M23’s Expanding Control and Rwanda’s Rebuttals Deepen the Challenges to Peace
Hostilities escalated earlier this year when M23 — long suspected of receiving backing from neighboring Rwanda, an accusation Kigali persistently denies — seized the pivotal city of Goma and broadened its grip across both North and South Kivu. The movement now commands more territory than at any previous time, heightening fears of intensified instability across the region.

Persistent Bloodshed Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Engagements
Despite continued negotiations, violence remains entrenched throughout the region. Local officials reported that at least 28 civilians were slain on Friday in North Kivu by militants linked to the Islamic State—highlighting the reality that numerous armed factions, not only M23, continue to undermine prospects for stability.

Since April, Qatar has convened multiple rounds of direct discussions between Kinshasa and the M23 leadership, concentrating on confidence-building measures, humanitarian corridors, and foundational principles for a sustained political dialogue. Although a declaration signed in July outlined initial intentions, it left major political and security questions unresolved. An additional agreement in October, which focused on ceasefire oversight, ultimately paved the way for the more comprehensive framework endorsed on Saturday.

Qatar Urges Restraint and Long-Term Commitment
Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, appealed to both parties to place trust-building and steady dialogue at the forefront of their efforts.

“Peace cannot be imposed by force,” he remarked. “It must be cultivated through confidence, mutual regard, and sincere dedication.”

Although the new accord has revived cautious optimism, diplomats and regional experts warn that turning written commitments into durable stability will demand meaningful compromises, strong international backing, and—above all—a measurable decline in hostilities on the ground.

Source: Africa Publicity