Overview
- Representatives of the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group signed the framework in Doha on November 15 after months of talks mediated by Qatar with U.S. support.
- The agreement outlines eight protocols, with two already concluded on prisoner releases and ceasefire monitoring, and six slated for detailed negotiation in the coming weeks.
- The parties agreed to establish an independent committee to steer implementation, with pending protocols covering humanitarian access, refugee returns, restored state authority and other governance steps.
- M23’s delegation said the document includes no binding clauses and cautioned that conditions will not shift immediately as violence and civilian casualties continue in eastern Congo.
- U.S. envoy Massad Boulos described the deal as a starting point, as tensions persist over alleged Rwandan backing for M23, which seized Goma and Bukavu earlier this year.