John AdoyiAfter three months of intense fighting and weeks of negotiations, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and the M23 rebel group have agreed to a ceasefire, marking a potential turning point in a conflict that has devastated the eastern region since January.
The breakthrough was announced on Wednesday following Qatar-mediated talks that began on April 10, 2025. In a joint statement, both parties committed to an immediate cessation of hostilities and denounced hate speech and intimidation.
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“After frank and constructive discussions, we have agreed to work towards concluding a truce that would contribute to the effectiveness of the ceasefire,” said M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.
The agreement stipulates that both sides will “immediately respect these commitments throughout the period of the talks and until their conclusion.” They also urged Congolese communities, religious leaders, and media to promote peace and reconciliation.
The conflict, which began in the cities of Goma and Bukavu in Eastern DR Congo has killed at least 7 Thousand people, displacing at least 7 million, overwhelming health facilities and reducing critical infrastructure to rubble. Previous ceasefire attempts, including talks brokered by Angola in March, collapsed within days as clashes resumed.
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M23, a Tutsi-led militia allegedly backed by Rwanda—a claim Kigali denies—has repeatedly seized territory, accusing Congo’s government of marginalising ethnic Tutsis and failing to honor past peace deals. Kinshasa, meanwhile, brands the group as terrorists and accuses Rwanda of fueling the insurgency.
Both parties expressed gratitude to Qatar for facilitating the negotiations.
“The representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the AFC/M23 express their sincere appreciation to the State of Qatar for its continued efforts and unwavering commitment in advancing dialogue and promoting mutual understanding,” the statement read.
If upheld, this ceasefire will be the first successful truce since the conflict began. Observers remain cautiously optimistic but stress that lasting peace will require further diplomatic efforts and accountability.
