The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, part of the broader Congo River Alliance (AFC), have agreed to work toward a truce to end the deadly conflict in eastern DRC. The announcement comes after mediation efforts in Doha, where representatives from both sides held talks facilitated by the State of Qatar.

In a joint statement released Wednesday evening, both parties said the discussions were “frank and constructive” and affirmed their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities. The statement also emphasized a rejection of hate speech and intimidation, urging local communities to uphold peace.

“Representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the AFC/M23 agreed to work towards concluding a truce that would contribute to the effectiveness of a ceasefire,” the statement read.

This is the first time the warring sides have issued such a coordinated declaration, raising cautious hopes for peace in a region that has seen repeated cycles of violence.

Previous Ceasefires Have Failed

While this latest attempt at dialogue is being praised as a diplomatic step forward, skepticism remains high. Since 2021, over half a dozen ceasefire deals have been brokered — all of which have collapsed amid renewed fighting. A January 2025 offensive by M23 saw the group capturing major eastern cities like Goma and Bukavu, intensifying the crisis and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Humanitarian conditions in the region have deteriorated significantly, with thousands killed and entire communities uprooted due to ongoing violence.

Regional Tensions

The conflict is deeply entangled in regional politics and resource control. The DRC and several international actors have long accused Rwanda of backing M23 in a bid to gain access to the region’s mineral-rich territories — a charge Rwanda denies.

Qatar, which has strengthened economic ties with both Rwanda and the DRC, played a key role in organizing a recent meeting between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha. While both leaders called for a ceasefire, it was not implemented.

Obstacles to Peace

Talks in Doha nearly collapsed over confidence-building measures, including demands by AFC/M23 for the release of prisoners accused of links to Rwanda. DRC officials rejected these demands, citing the independence of the judiciary and the seriousness of the alleged crimes.

“They are asking for too much,” one government source said. “Our justice system is independent. We cannot give in to every whim. Crimes have been committed.”

A source close to the rebel coalition said those disputes led to a walkout, though Qatari diplomats ultimately convinced both sides to issue the joint statement to keep the door open for future negotiations.

What’s Next?

While the statement offers a symbolic breakthrough, experts warn that monitoring and enforcement of any truce will be difficult given the vast and volatile terrain of eastern DRC.

“It’s hard to see how this will hold without a clear framework or trusted third-party oversight,” said Delphin Ntanyoma, a researcher specializing in peace and conflict studies.

For now, the focus shifts to whether this agreement will finally translate into real progress — or become another in a long line of failed attempts to bring peace to eastern Congo.