Latest news with #PeaceAgreement
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
US Welcomes Signing Of Declaration Between Democratic Republic Of The Congo And Representatives Of Congo River Alliance
The United States welcomes the signing of a Declaration of Principles between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and representatives of Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement, facilitated by the State of Qatar, and observed by the United States. We commend the Parties for taking this meaningful step toward advancing lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. We express our sincere gratitude to the State of Qatar for its critical role in facilitating this process. Qatar's leadership and dedication to fostering dialogue between the DRC and M23 have been instrumental in supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict. This achievement builds upon the Peace Agreement signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on June 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and complements the broader efforts to advance durable peace and prosperity in the region. The United States encourages the parties to uphold their commitments under the Declaration of Principles and continue discussions required to reach a full peace agreement. The United States remains committed to driving progress toward a peace in eastern DRC that results in the restoration of DRC authority and inclusive governance that allows for the people of the region to return home and realise a more prosperous future.
Egypt Independent
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels sign declaration of principles for a permanent ceasefire in the east
AP — Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decades-long fighting in eastern Congo that commits them to a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement to be signed in one month. A final peace deal is to be signed no later than August 18, and it 'shall align with the Peace Agreement between Congo and Rwanda' facilitated by the US in June, according to a copy of the declaration seen by The Associated Press. The agreement of principles touches on most of the highlights of the peace deal Congo and Rwanda signed June 27. It is the first direct commitment by both side since the rebels seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major advance. Backed by neighboring Rwanda, the M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups fighting for control in Congo's mineral-rich east. With 7 million people displaced in Congo, the UN has called the conflict in eastern Congo 'one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth.' It was not immediately clear what the specific terms of a final peace agreement would be and what concessions would be made. M23 had been pushing for the release of its members held by Congo's army, many of them facing the death sentence. Congo had requested the withdrawal of the rebels from seized territories. A key issue has been whether Rwanda will pull their support for the rebels, including the thousands of troops that the United Nations experts said are in eastern Congo. When Rwanda and Congo signed the peace deal in Washington, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Rwanda agreed to lift its 'defensive measures' – suggesting a reference to its troops in eastern Congo – once Congo neutralizes an armed group whose members Kigali accuses of carrying out the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Analysts have said it is going to be difficult for the M23 rebels to withdraw from the eastern Congolese cities of Goma and Bukavu seized earlier this year and that it would depend on concessions Congolese authorities agree to make.
Qatar Tribune
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
US commends Qatar's crucial role in signing of Declaration of Principles between DRC govt and Congo River Alliance
Washington The United States of America has commended the State of Qatar's crucial role in facilitating the signing of a Declaration of Principles between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and representatives of Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement, deeming this development a meaningful step toward advancing lasting peace and stability. In a statement issued on Saturday, the US Department of State expressed its sincere gratitude to the State of Qatar for its critical role in facilitating this process and its vital role in fostering dialogue between the concerned parties and supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the DRC. The US Department of State welcomed the agreement signed in Doha with Qatar as mediator and the US as an observer, commending the signatory parties for taking this meaningful step toward advancing lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. It added that this achievement builds upon the Peace Agreement signed between the DRC and the Republic of Rwanda on June 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and that it comes in the context of international efforts that aim to establish a comprehensive peace and durable prosperity in the Great Lakes region. Concluding its statement, the US Department of State highlighted its continuous support for such endeavors and encouraged all parties to uphold their commitments under the Declaration of Principles and to continue with constructive dialogue in order to reach a full peace agreement that enhances state authority, inclusive governance, and paves the way for the people of the region to return home and realize a more stable and prosperous future. The State of Qatar hosted in Doha the signing ceremony of the Declaration of Principles between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement, in a step considered a significant development in efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in the eastern region of the Congo. The signing of the declaration is the result of diplomatic efforts made by the State of Qatar over the past months, during which it worked to create a conducive environment for constructive dialogue between both parties, in preparation for reaching a peaceful solution to the protracted conflict in the region.
Korea Herald
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels sign declaration of principles to end conflict in eastern Congo
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decadeslong fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents. Congo and the M23 rebels committed to 'building trust' through various measures, including an exchange of prisoners and detainees as well as restoring state authority in all parts of the country, including rebel-held areas, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Qatar's minister of state, said at a briefing. It was not immediately clear if the declaration involves M23's withdrawal from cities it controls, as the two parties seemed to interpret the agreement differently. Bertrand Bisimwa, an M23 leader, said on X that the declaration is 'not a question of withdrawal but of mechanisms for empowering the state, enabling it to assume its prerogatives and obligations.' M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka told The Associated Press in a telephone call, 'We are in Goma with the population and we are not going to get out.' However, Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said the declaration takes into account 'the non-negotiable withdrawal' of the rebels, followed by the deployment of government forces and institutions. Backed by neighboring Rwanda, the M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups fighting for control in Congo's mineral-rich east. With 7 million people displaced in Congo, the UN has called the conflict in eastern Congo 'one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth.' Saturday's signing is the first direct commitment by both sides since the rebels seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major advance early this year. A final peace deal is to be signed no later than Aug. 18, and it 'shall align with the Peace Agreement between Congo and Rwanda,' facilitated by the US in June , according to a copy of the declaration seen by AP. M23 had been pushing for the release of its members held by Congo's military, many of them facing the death sentence. Congo had requested the withdrawal of the rebels from seized territories. 'The Declaration of Principles signed today paves the way for direct negotiations towards a comprehensive peace that addresses the deep-rooted causes of the conflict,' the Qatari minister said. Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Ministry called it 'a significant step forward" in ending the conflict. The US State Department said in a statement that America remains committed to supporting 'a peace that results in the restoration of (Congolese) authority and inclusive governance' in the region. In Goma, the city at the center of the conflict, locals received the news of the signing with mixed feelings, with most expressing doubts over the possibility of a lasting peace without a provision for victims of the decadeslong conflict. 'We cannot build peace without justice and reparation,' said Amani Muisa, a resident of Goma. The document touches on most of the highlights of the peace deal Congo and Rwanda signed on June 27, including the protection and safe return of millions who fled the conflict. Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump who attended the Doha-led talks, said on Saturday, 'It is time to find a final solution' to the conflict, reiterating that the most important article of the agreement is the affirmation of state control in rebel-held territories. 'The issue requires dialogue, and following up on this dialogue and requires persistence,' Boulos said. Another key issue the two sides will have to face is whether Rwanda will stop supporting the rebels, including the thousands of troops that the United Nations experts said are in eastern Congo. When Rwanda and Congo signed the peace deal in Washington, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Rwanda agreed to lift its 'defensive measures' — suggesting a reference to its troops in eastern Congo — once Congo neutralizes an armed group whose members Kigali accuses of carrying out the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Analysts have said it is going to be difficult for the M23 rebels to withdraw from the eastern Congolese cities of Goma and Bukavu and that it would depend on concessions the Congolese authorities agree to make. There have also been doubts about long-lasting peace if justice for the victims of the war is not addressed.
Los Angeles Times
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels sign declaration to end conflict in eastern Congo
DAKAR, Senegal — The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decades-long fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents. Congo and the M23 rebels committed to 'building trust' through various measures, including an exchange of prisoners and detainees as well as restoring state authority in all parts of the country, including rebel-held areas, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Qatar's minister of state, said at a briefing. It was not immediately clear whether the declaration involves M23's withdrawal from cities it controls, as the two parties seemed to interpret the agreement differently. Bertrand Bisimwa, an M23 leader, said on X that the declaration is 'not a question of withdrawal but of mechanisms for empowering the state, enabling it to assume its prerogatives and obligations.' M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka told the Associated Press in a telephone call, 'We are in Goma with the population and we are not going to get out.' But Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the declaration takes into account 'the nonnegotiable withdrawal' of the rebels, followed by the deployment of government forces and institutions. Backed by neighboring Rwanda, M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups fighting for control in Congo's mineral-rich east. With 7 million people displaced in the country, the United Nations has called the conflict in eastern Congo 'one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth.' Saturday's signing is the first direct commitment by both sides since the rebels seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major advance early this year. A final peace deal is to be signed no later than Aug. 18, and it 'shall align with the Peace Agreement between Congo and Rwanda,' facilitated by the U.S. in June, according to a copy of the declaration seen by AP. M23 had been pushing for the release of its members held by Congo's military, many of them facing a death sentence. Congo had requested the withdrawal of the rebels from seized territories. 'The Declaration of Principles signed today paves the way for direct negotiations towards a comprehensive peace that addresses the deep-rooted causes of the conflict,' the Qatari minister said. Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Ministry called it 'a significant step forward' in ending the conflict. The U.S. State Department said in a statement that the United States remains committed to supporting 'a peace that results in the restoration of [Congolese] authority and inclusive governance' in the region. In Goma, the city at the center of the conflict, locals received the news of the signing with mixed feelings, with most expressing doubts over the possibility of a lasting peace without a provision for victims of the decades-long conflict. 'We cannot build peace without justice and reparation,' said Amani Muisa, a Goma resident. The document touches on most of the highlights of the peace deal Congo and Rwanda signed June 27, including the protection and safe return of millions who fled the conflict. Massad Boulos, a senior advisor to President Trump who attended the Doha-led talks, said Saturday: 'It is time to find a final solution' to the conflict, reiterating that the most important article of the agreement is the affirmation of state control in rebel-held territories. 'The issue requires dialogue, and following up on this dialogue, and requires persistence,' Boulos said. Another key issue the two sides will have to face is whether Rwanda will stop supporting the rebels, including the thousands of troops that U.N. experts said are in eastern Congo. When Rwanda and Congo signed the peace deal in Washington, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Rwanda agreed to lift its 'defensive measures' — suggesting a reference to its troops in eastern Congo — once Congo neutralizes an armed group whose members Kigali accuses of carrying out the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Analysts have said that it is going to be difficult for the M23 rebels to withdraw from the eastern Congolese cities of Goma and Bukavu and that it would depend on concessions the Congolese authorities agree to make. There have also been doubts about long-lasting peace if justice for the victims of the war is not addressed. Asadu writes for the Associated Press. AP journalists Ahmed Hatem in Cairo, Jean-Yves Kamale in Kinshasa, Congo, and Justin Kabumba in Goma contributed to this report.
