Latest news with #SumbuSitaMambu
Herald Malaysia
3 days ago
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Partial peace agreement for DRC signed in Qatar
Following ongoing turmoil in the Democratic Republic of Congo, representatives of the Kinshasa government and the M23 rebel group meet in Qatar and sign a declaration of intent, which includes a permanent ceasefire. Jul 23, 2025 Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs stands between peace mediator Sumbu Sita Mambu, a high representative of the head of state in DRC (left) and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 executive secretary Benjamin Mbonimp (right) as they sign a ceasefire deal in Doha on July 19, 2025 (AFP or licensors) By Deborah Castellano LubovA partial peace agreement has been signed for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising hopes of a more peaceful future for the embattled country. On Saturday in Doha, Qatar, representatives of the Kinshasa government and the M23 rebel group signed a declaration of intent, which includes a permanent ceasefire and outlines a roadmap for the restoration of state authority in eastern DRC, according to Italian news agency AGI. The Declaration commits to launching formal negotiations as soon as possible with a view toward a 'comprehensive peace agreement.' Violence-plagued region In the region, the frontlines have remained unchanged since February, but, AGI reports, violence continues between M23 and pro-Kinshasa militias engaged in guerrilla operations. For over 30 years, Eastern DRC, a region rich in minerals, has been plagued by conflict, and previous peace agreements and ceasefires have been repeatedly violated in recent years. In recent months, following a lightning offensive by M23 and Rwandan troops against the Congolese army, violence has erupted along the region bordering Rwanda. According to the United Nations and Congolese government, this has resulted in thousands of deaths, worsening a humanitarian crisis involving hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Peace requires efforts, support and making concessions The DRC's Minister of the Interior, Jacquemain Sabani, reflected on the ceasefire agreement signed with the M23 armed group, which is supported by Rwanda, calling this breakthrough a step closer to peace, during a briefing co-hosted with fellow Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya. After three decades of unrest, Minister Shabani reasoned, 'Peace is a choice,' adding, 'I am confident and fully convinced that we are close to peace," and that this is an "important project we have the responsibility to build.' Yet, he argued, this requires work. 'We must prepare the population to move toward this goal,' and must be prepared to make 'concessions.' Working toward definitive peace With this sentiment, Communications Minister Muyaya echoed, 'We want a definitive peace, a lasting peace.' Since the document signed by both parties also outlines restoring state authority in eastern DRC once the peace agreement is signed, he noted, for the government, this entails 'redeploying the administration and public forces' in the M23-controlled territories, while reassuring that this will be the subject of a process to be 'described in detail in the peace agreement.'--Vatican News
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
DR Congo, Rwanda-backed M23 armed group sign ceasefire deal
'Permanent ceasefire' agreement after three months of talks in Qatar DOHA: The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 signed a ceasefire deal on Saturday to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich but conflict-torn east. The two sides signed a declaration of principles whose terms include a 'permanent ceasefire', after three months of talks in Qatar. It follows a separate peace deal between the Congolese and Rwandan governments signed in Washington last month. Rich in natural resources, especially lucrative minerals, eastern DRC has been wracked by conflict for more than three decades, creating a humanitarian crisis and forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Thousands were killed in a lightning offensive by the M23 in January and February, in which the group seized vast swathes of territory, including the key provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. In the agreement signed in Doha, the warring parties agreed to 'uphold their commitment to a permanent ceasefire', including refraining from 'hate propaganda' and 'any attempt to seize by force new positions'. The deal includes a roadmap for restoring state authority in eastern DRC, and an agreement for the two sides to open direct negotiations toward a comprehensive peace agreement. Congolese presidential envoy Sumbu Sita Mambu and M23 permanent secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa shook hands after signing the deal at a ceremony in the Qatari capital. The M23 had insisted on seeking its own ceasefire deal with Kinshasa, saying the DRC-Rwanda deal signed in Washington in June left out various 'problems' that still needed to be addressed. The two sides said the new deal aligned with the Washington agreement, which US President Donald Trump at the time called the start of 'a new chapter of hope and opportunity' for the region. The African Union hailed the new agreement as a 'significant development', saying: 'This... marks a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.' Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the deal took account of the DRC's 'red lines', including 'the non-negotiable withdrawal of the M23 from occupied areas followed by the deployment of our institutions', including the armed forces. He said the comprehensive peace agreement would follow 'in the coming days'. The two sides agreed to implement the deal's terms by July 29 at the latest, and to start negotiations toward a comprehensive agreement by August 8. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are due to meet in the coming months to solidify the Washington peace deal, whose terms have not yet been implemented. Questions remain over an expected side deal on economic issues, after Trump boasted of securing mineral wealth in the vast central African nation. Tshisekedi said in April he had discussed a deal for access to the DRC's mineral wealth with US special envoy Massad Boulos. Boulos, who was at the signing ceremony in Doha, called the restoration of the Congolese government's control over its eastern territory 'one of the most important clauses' in the new deal. But 'we know that there are no magic solutions' to end the conflict, 'especially regarding the timeline', he told a news conference. Previous ceasefire agreements for eastern DRC have collapsed in the past. Neighboring Rwanda denies providing military backing to the M23, but UN experts say the Rwandan army played a 'critical' role in the group's offensive, including combat operations. The front line has stabilized since February, but fighting was still breaking out regularly between the M23 and multiple pro-government militias. — AFP
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
DR Congo, M23 armed group sign ceasefire deal
DOHA: The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 signed a ceasefire deal Saturday to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich but conflict-torn east. The two sides signed a declaration of principles whose terms include a "permanent ceasefire", after three months of talks in Qatar. It follows a separate peace deal between the Congolese and Rwandan governments signed in Washington last month. Rich in natural resources, especially lucrative minerals, eastern DRC has been wracked by conflict for more than three decades, creating a humanitarian crisis and forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Thousands were killed in a lightning offensive by the M23 in January and February, in which the group seized vast swathes of territory, including the key provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. In the agreement signed in Doha, the warring parties agreed to "uphold their commitment to a permanent ceasefire", including refraining from "hate propaganda" and "any attempt to seize by force new positions". The deal includes a roadmap for restoring state authority in eastern DRC, and an agreement for the two sides to open direct negotiations toward a comprehensive peace agreement. Congolese presidential envoy Sumbu Sita Mambu and M23 permanent secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa shook hands after signing the deal at a ceremony in the Qatari capital. The M23 had insisted on seeking its own ceasefire deal with Kinshasa, saying the DRC-Rwanda deal signed in Washington in June left out various "problems" that still needed to be addressed. The two sides said the new deal aligned with the Washington agreement, which US President Donald Trump at the time called the start of "a new chapter of hope and opportunity" for the region. Rwanda Saturday thanked Qatar and the United States for mediating the accord, and said that it "remains committed to contributing to sustainable peace as well as economic development in the Great Lakes region". The African Union hailed the new agreement as a "significant development", saying: "This... marks a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region." The European Union and the United Nation's regional peace-keeping mission MONUSCO also welcomed the accord. Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the deal took account of the DRC's "red lines", including "the non-negotiable withdrawal of the M23 from occupied areas followed by the deployment of our institutions", including the armed forces. The two sides agreed to implement the deal's terms by July 29 at the latest, and to start negotiations toward a comprehensive agreement by August 8. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are due to meet in the coming months to solidify the Washington peace deal, whose terms have not yet been implemented. Questions remain over an expected side deal on economic issues, after Trump boasted of securing mineral wealth in the vast central African nation. Tshisekedi said in April he had discussed a deal for access to the DRC's mineral wealth with US special envoy Massad Boulos. Boulos, who was at the signing ceremony in Doha, called the restoration of the Congolese government's control over its eastern territory "one of the most important clauses" in the new deal. But "we know that there are no magic solutions" to end the conflict, "especially regarding the timeline", he told a news conference. Previous ceasefire agreements for eastern DRC have collapsed. Neighbouring Rwanda denies providing military backing to the M23, but UN experts say the Rwandan army played a "critical" role in the group's offensive, including combat operations. The front line has stabilised since February, but fighting was still breaking out regularly between the M23 and multiple pro-government militias. - AFP
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
DR Congo, M23 armed group sign ceasefire deal
Representatives from DRC, Qatar and M23 attend the signing ceremony for a declaration of principles to end fighting in eastern Congo in Doha, Qatar, July 19, 2025. Photo AFP The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed armed group M23 signed a ceasefire deal Saturday to end fighting that has devastated the country's mineral-rich but conflict-torn east. The two sides signed a declaration of principles whose terms include a "permanent ceasefire", after three months of talks in Qatar. It follows a separate peace deal between the Congolese and Rwandan governments signed in Washington last month. Rich in natural resources, especially lucrative minerals, eastern DRC has been wracked by conflict for more than three decades, creating a humanitarian crisis and forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Thousands were killed in a lightning offensive by the M23 in January and February, in which the group seized vast swathes of territory, including the key provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. In the agreement signed in Doha, the warring parties agreed to "uphold their commitment to a permanent ceasefire", including refraining from "hate propaganda" and "any attempt to seize by force new positions". The deal includes a roadmap for restoring state authority in eastern DRC, and an agreement for the two sides to open direct negotiations toward a comprehensive peace agreement. Congolese presidential envoy Sumbu Sita Mambu and M23 permanent secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa shook hands after signing the deal at a ceremony in the Qatari capital. The M23 had insisted on seeking its own ceasefire deal with Kinshasa, saying the DRC-Rwanda deal signed in Washington in June left out various "problems" that still needed to be addressed. The two sides said the new deal aligned with the Washington agreement, which US President Donald Trump at the time called the start of "a new chapter of hope and opportunity" for the region. Rwanda Saturday thanked Qatar and the United States for mediating the accord, and said that it "remains committed to contributing to sustainable peace as well as economic development in the Great Lakes region". The African Union hailed the new agreement as a "significant development", saying: "This... marks a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region." The European Union and the United Nation's regional peace-keeping mission MONUSCO also welcomed the accord. Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the deal took account of the DRC's "red lines", including "the non-negotiable withdrawal of the M23 from occupied areas followed by the deployment of our institutions", including the armed forces.
United News of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
DRC – Rwanda backed M23 militia sign ceasefire agreement in Doha after months of wanton violence
Kinsasha/Kigali, July 19 (UNI) The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel militia have signed a new ceasefire agreement, bringing a halt to the massive violence that has ravaged the DRC's mineral-rich eastern region for months. The declaration, which includes a commitment to a permanent ceasefire, was signed today in Doha following three months of negotiations hosted by Qatar, reports France24. The agreement comes shortly after a separate peace deal was reached between the Congolese and Rwandan governments in Washington last month. Although the M23 had previously rejected that accord, claiming it failed to address key grievances, the latest deal aligns with the Washington agreement and sets a roadmap for further peace efforts. Eastern DRC has long been gripped by insecurity fuelled by ethnic tensions and the presence of numerous armed groups. Rich in valuable minerals such as coltan and cobalt, the region has been at the heart of repeated conflicts. The latest surge in violence, triggered by an M23 offensive in January and February this year, led to the deaths of thousands and the displacement of hundreds of thousands more. The rebel group took control of large areas, including parts of Goma and Bukavu, escalating an already strong humanitarian crisis. The Doha accord includes mutual pledges to refrain from hate speech, propaganda, and any fresh territorial advances. It also outlines steps for the restoration of state authority in rebel-held zones and the launch of direct negotiations aimed at a broader peace agreement. Implementation of the ceasefire terms is set for completion by July 29, with negotiations for the comprehensive agreement to begin by August 8. Congolese presidential envoy Sumbu Sita Mambu and M23's permanent secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa signed the deal in the presence of international observers. US special envoy Massad Boulos, who attended the ceremony, described the restoration of Congolese state control in the east as 'one of the most important clauses' of the agreement. The African Union welcomed the development as a 'major milestone' towards regional stability. Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya reiterated that Kinshasa's 'red lines' remain firm, including the full withdrawal of M23 from occupied territories. Despite the cautious optimism, previous ceasefires in the region have often collapsed, and questions persist around enforcement, timelines, and broader economic agreements involving the region's vast mineral wealth. UNI XC ANV RN
