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DRC Government and M23 Rebels Seal Doha Ceasefire Deal With Tight Peace Roadmap

With deadlines for a ceasefire by July 29, talks by August 8, then a full accord by August 18, the pact’s ambiguous terms on territorial control raise concerns over its implementation.

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Le chef de la délégation congolaise Sumbu Sita Mambu (G) serre la main du secrétaire exécutif du groupe armé M23, Benjamin Mbonimpa (D), après avoir signé une déclaration de principe comprenant un accord de cessez-le-feu, le 19 juillet 2025 à Doha
Le représentant personnel du président congolais Félix Tshisekedi, Sumbu Sita Mambu, le ministre d’État qatari aux affaires étrangères, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, et Benjamin Mbonimpa, qui dirige la délégation du M23 à Doha, assistent à une cérémonie de signature d’une déclaration de principes pour mettre fin aux combats dans l’est du Congo entre la République démocratique du Congo et le groupe rebelle M23, à Doha, au Qatar, le 19 juillet 2025

Overview

  • The declaration of principles signed on July 19 commits both sides to respect a permanent ceasefire and to abstain from actions that could hinder its execution.
  • Parties must implement the ceasefire by July 29, convene formal peace negotiations by August 8 and sign a comprehensive agreement by August 18.
  • M23 leaders assert they will maintain current front-line positions rather than withdraw, clashing with Kinshasa’s demand for full restoration of state authority.
  • The Doha agreement builds on a late-June U.S.-brokered accord between the DRC and Rwanda that excluded the M23 and remains pending implementation.
  • Observers caution that deep-rooted mistrust and past enforcement failures in eastern DRC could jeopardize the sustainability of the new ceasefire.