Overview

• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and M23 militia have declared an immediate cessation of hostilities to enable peace talks.
• The agreement, mediated by Qatar, seeks to establish a lasting ceasefire after years of violent conflict in eastern DRC.
• Since January 2025, M23, allegedly supported by Rwandan troops, has seized major cities like Goma and Bukavu, displacing hundreds of thousands.
• Over 7,000 people have been killed this year alone, with accusations of resource exploitation fueling tensions in the mineral-rich provinces.
• Previous ceasefires since 2021 have repeatedly failed, raising concerns about the durability of this latest truce.