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Rwandan-backed M23 insurgents are expected to sign an immediate truce with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Qatar later on Saturday, according to an official familiar with the discussions.
This ceasefire is part of a Declaration of Principles that the conflicting parties are set to sign after three months of negotiations in the Gulf emirate, the official indicated.
The M23 militant group, which captured extensive areas of mineral-rich land in eastern DRC during a rapid offensive in January and February, had sought to negotiate its ceasefire agreement with Kinshasa after their Rwandan ally reached a peace deal in Washington last month.
“The Declaration includes an agreement for an immediate ceasefire, outlines a commitment to begin formal negotiations on a comprehensive peace agreement in the near future, and establishes consensus on a mechanism for a permanent ceasefire,” the official said late Friday.
It also includes “a roadmap for restoring state authority in eastern DRC once a peace agreement is signed,” the official added.
Eastern DRC has experienced turmoil for over thirty years, resulting in a humanitarian disaster and displacing hundreds of thousands of individuals from their homes.
During the M23 offensive earlier this year, thousands lost their lives as the rebels took control of crucial provincial capitals such as Goma and Bukavu.
Since February, the front line has become more stable, yet skirmishes continue to erupt frequently between the M23 and various pro-government militias.
