Doha (TDI): Qatar has shared a new peace plan targeting the long‑standing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo with both the government and the M23 militia. Doha, who is the facilitator in the ongoing peace process, says both sides responded positively.
“Although the timeline set in the Doha Declaration of Principles for the signing of the agreement was not met, both parties responded positively to the facilitator and expressed their willingness to continue negotiations,” a Qatari official engaged in the mediation efforts told the Actualite.cd news website. (Anadolu Agency reported).
The sharing of the peace plan draft by Qatar is part of the earlier agreements which were reached at between Rwanda and Congo; first in a US‑brokered peace deal signed by both sides and later in a July 19 “declaration of principles” in Doha, mediated by Qatar.
The declaration pledged an end to hostilities, civilian protection, and a framework for future negotiations. The latest draft is part of agreeing on a framework for peace.
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Since January, the Rwanda‑backed M23 rebel group has made sweeping territorial gains, including seizing major cities like Goma, and displaced millions in a campaign that has cost thousands of lives.
Even after the initial agreements signed between the two countries, M23 has resisted troop withdrawals, questioning the restoration of state control. Adding to the urgency, the UN reported that at least 319 civilians were killed by M23 in July, underlining extreme humanitarian toll and fragility of the ceasefire.
The contents of the latest peace plan are not public yet but international actors including the UN, US, Qatar, and the African Union continue pushing for mediation.
In the absence of comprehensive implementation or meaningful participation from M23 and its backers, real peace in eastern DRC remains elusive.
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