• The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels signed a ceasefire deal in Qatar.
• The agreement includes a commitment to a permanent ceasefire and restoration of state authority in eastern territories.
• Final peace talks are set to conclude by August 18, aligning with a prior US-brokered agreement.
• M23's withdrawal from occupied areas remains a contentious issue in the negotiations.
• The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and thousands killed.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group have signed a declaration of principles in Doha, Qatar, aiming to end decades of fighting in eastern Congo. This agreement, made on Saturday, marks a significant breakthrough, committing both parties to a permanent ceasefire and a roadmap for peace negotiations, with a final deal scheduled for no later than August 18, 2025, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

This declaration includes commitments to end hostilities and address underlying issues fueling the conflict, such as the restoration of state authority in regions currently held by M23, which has been backed by Rwanda. The deal also stipulates a prohibition against hate propaganda and any attempts to seize territory by force, as reported by Africanews and Le Monde.

The humanitarian impact of this conflict has been severe; the United Nations estimates that up to 7 million people have been displaced, reflecting one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world. Thousands have been killed in the fighting, which escalated notably when M23 seized key cities like Goma and Bukavu early this year, according to NPR and BBC.

However, the issue of whether M23 will withdraw from occupied areas remains contentious, as spokespersons for both sides have interpreted the ceasefire terms differently. While the Congolese government is insistent on the rebels' withdrawal, M23 leaders assert that the discussions focus instead on empowering the state within the existing framework of control, according to Africanews and Los Angeles Times.

This summit, backed by Qatari mediation, was conducted following previous attempts at peace negotiations, including a separate peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda facilitated by the US last month, reflecting the international community's ongoing interest in stabilizing the region, as noted by Dawn and Los Angeles Times.