The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebels have signed a new framework for peace in a ceremony in Qatar. The agreement, mediated with the support of the US, Qatar, and the African Union, aims to end decades of conflict in the mineral-rich eastern region. It builds upon previous declarations and outlines eight key protocols, including humanitarian access, the return of displaced people, and protection of the judiciary. However, major hurdles remain, with the US envoy acknowledging that critical elements such as prisoner exchanges are progressing more slowly than hoped. The core dispute also persists, as Kinshasa demands a Rwandan military withdrawal, while Kigali insists on the disbandment of Hutu militias first. While this framework offers a renewed path toward stability, its success hinges on the warring parties demonstrating a genuine commitment to finalize and implement the pending terms.
BBC
