DRC and M23 sign Doha pact to set up joint ceasefire monitoring

Doha — The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel movement on Tuesday signed an agreement in Doha to establish a joint monitoring and verification mechanism intended to oversee a proposed permanent ceasefire in eastern Congo, Qatari and Congolese officials said. The mechanism is to investigate alleged violations, verify reports on the ground and communicate with relevant parties to help prevent a resumption of hostilities.

Under the agreement, the body will include equal representation from the Congolese government, M23 and the 12-country International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. Observers from Qatar, the United States and the African Union will participate, and the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo, known as MONUSCO, is to provide logistical support. Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya confirmed the signing, and M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka described the development as a significant advancement.

Qatar’s foreign ministry characterized the arrangement as a pivotal step toward confidence building and a broader peace accord. Mediators in Doha have overseen multiple rounds of talks since April, and the new mechanism follows a Declaration of...