Trending 
A new peace framework was signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 paramilitary group, on Saturday, which is supported by Rwanda, during a ceremony held in Qatar, aimed at putting an end to the violence that has plagued eastern DRC.
Qatar, in collaboration with the United States and the African Union, has been engaged in extensive negotiations over several months to resolve the conflict in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, where the M23 has taken control of significant cities.
In July, a ceasefire agreement and an initial framework were signed in the Gulf emirate, but reports of violations emerged soon afterwards, with both parties accused of disregarding the ceasefire.
The new agreement, called the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, was finalised during a ceremony attended by representatives from both sides of the conflict, as well as officials from the US and Qatar.
During the ceremony, Qatar’s chief negotiator, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, described the agreement as “historic” and said mediators would continue their efforts to secure peace on the ground.
Since resuming hostilities at the end of 2021, the M23 armed group has captured large areas of land in eastern DRC with support from Rwanda, leading to a worsening humanitarian crisis.
In a rapid offensive in January and February, thousands lost their lives as the M23 seized important provincial capitals, Goma and Bukavu.
The agreement, signed in July in Doha, followed a separate peace accord between the Congolese and Rwandan governments, established in Washington in June.
