PBS NewsHour

Congo and M23 rebels sign declaration of principles for permanent ceasefire

NPR Online News

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels sign declaration of principles for permanent ceasefire

Associated Press

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels sign declaration of principles to end conflict in eastern Congo

Al Jazeera

DR Congo, M23 rebels sign deal in Qatar to end fighting in eastern Congo

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels sign declaration of principles for a permanent ceasefire in the east

<h2></h2>

Representatives of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels on Saturday signed in Doha — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/congo-peace-talks-begin-in-qatar-amid-regional-tensions">after three months of talks</a> — a declaration of principles to end the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/m-rebel-advance-claims-lives-in-eastern-congo">fighting that has torn the resource-rich eastern DRC since January</a>.

France 24

Representatives of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels on Saturday signed in Doha — after three months of talks — a declaration of principles to end the fighting that has torn the resource-rich eastern DRC since January.

According to multiple reports, the U.S.-Qatar-brokered agreement states that both sides must refrain from attacks, acts of sabotage, hate propaganda and attempts to seize new positions on the ground by force, and establishes a roadmap towards a permanent ceasefire.

BBC News

The New Times

According to multiple reports, the U.S.-Qatar-brokered agreement states that both sides must refrain from attacks, acts of sabotage, hate propaganda and attempts to seize new positions on the ground by force, and establishes a roadmap towards a permanent ceasefire.

Under the deal, the parties must implement the provisions by Tuesday next week and enter direct negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement by Aug. 8 at the latest, with a shared goal of reaching consensus and signing the agreement no later than Aug. 18.

Sputnik Africa

Under the deal, the parties must implement the provisions by Tuesday next week and enter direct negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement by Aug. 8 at the latest, with a shared goal of reaching consensus and signing the agreement no later than Aug. 18.

While the DRC and M23 agreed in the declaration of principles that state authority should be restored on all national territories, including rebel-held areas in the east, disagreements have emerged regarding whether rebels must withdraw or not from cities under their control.

While the DRC and M23 agreed in the declaration of principles that state authority should be restored on all national territories, including rebel-held areas in the east, disagreements have emerged regarding whether rebels must withdraw or not from cities under their control.

This agreement builds upon the peace agreement that Rwanda — which has long been accused of supporting M23 — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/rwanda-dr-congo-sign-usbrokered-peace-deal-amid-court-case">signed with the DRC on June 27 in Washington, D.C.</a>, including provisions to protect and allow the safe return of millions who fled the conflict.

Anadolu Agency

This agreement builds upon the peace agreement that Rwanda — which has long been accused of supporting M23 — signed with the DRC on June 27 in Washington, D.C., including provisions to protect and allow the safe return of millions who fled the conflict.

In other related developments last week, Rwanda ratified the peace agreement with the DRC, while media outlet Jeune Afrique reported that a top Congolese security official, General Franck Ntumba, and his chief of staff were arrested in Kinshasa amid a military purge over fears of a mutiny or a coup d'état.

Critical Threats

The East African

In other related developments last week, Rwanda ratified the peace agreement with the DRC, while media outlet Jeune Afrique reported that a top Congolese security official, General Franck Ntumba, and his chief of staff were arrested in Kinshasa amid a military purge over fears of a mutiny or a coup d'état.

This peace agreement represents a genuine breakthrough towards the end of the conflict that has displaced millions and destabilized the region. The clear timelines and international mediation provide the framework needed for lasting peace, while the commitment to restore state authority addresses the core issue of territorial control. Qatar's successful mediation and U.S. support demonstrate strong international backing for implementation.

This peace agreement represents a genuine breakthrough towards the end of the conflict that has displaced millions and destabilized the region. The clear timelines and international mediation provide the framework needed for lasting peace, while the commitment to restore state authority addresses the core issue of territorial control. Qatar's successful mediation and U.S. support demonstrate strong international backing for implementation.

UN News

Doha agreement brings DR Congo government and M23 rebels a step closer to peace

Pro-establishment narrative

Previous peace agreements have repeatedly failed to bring the conflict in eastern DRC to an end, and this latest agreement already shows cracks with both sides interpreting key provisions differently within hours of signing. The vague language around rebel withdrawal and lack of enforcement mechanisms suggests this may be another symbolic gesture rather than meaningful progress towards peace, despite pressure from the international community.

Previous peace agreements have repeatedly failed to bring the conflict in eastern DRC to an end, and this latest agreement already shows cracks with both sides interpreting key provisions differently within hours of signing. The vague language around rebel withdrawal and lack of enforcement mechanisms suggests this may be another symbolic gesture rather than meaningful progress towards peace, despite pressure from the international community.

Experts skeptical about DR Congo peace deal  DW  07

Establishment-critical narrative

There's a 60% chance that the Democratic Republic of Congo will experience a civil war before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 60% chance that the Democratic Republic of Congo will experience a civil war before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

DRC, M23 Rebels Sign Peace Deal in Qatar

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Establishment-critical narrative

Metaculus Prediction

Go Deeper

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

DRC, M23 Rebels Sign Peace Deal in Qatar

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Establishment-critical narrative

Metaculus Prediction

Go Deeper

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters