Overview

• The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 signed a declaration of principles in Doha on July 19 after three months of Qatar-facilitated talks
• The agreement mandates a non-negotiable pullback of M23 fighters from occupied areas followed by the restoration of state institutions
• It provides for a UN peacekeeping mission-led mechanism to verify the ceasefire and coordinates with UNHCR on the voluntary return of displaced civilians
• M23 political leaders promptly contested the withdrawal clause, framing it as a negotiation on state empowerment rather than an outright pullout
• Clashes have continued between M23 and army-allied militias as both sides ready for verification processes and the next phase of talks