The and the M23 rebel group agreed on Tuesday to establish an international body to oversee the ceasefire they agreed to in July but which has so far failed to end the fighting.
M23, , occupies large parts of the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces in Congo’s .
In a statement on X, Kinshasa reaffirmed its “desire to achieve a cessation of hostilities, to guarantee the security of the population, and to prepare the conditions for a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement.”
Qatar, US and African Union to help monitor ceasefire
Congolese officials said the deal was signed in Doha after .
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that the mechanism will “investigate and verify reported violations … and communicate with relevant parties to prevent a resumption of hostilities.”
It described the deal as a “pivotal step” toward a comprehensive peace agreement in eastern Congo.
Qatar, the United States of America and the will participate in the mechanisms as observers, the ministry said.
The body itself will consist of an equal number of representatives from the Congolese government and M23, as well as representatives from the 12-country International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.
M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka described the agreement as a “significant advancement” in a post on X.
What is the conflict in the eastern DRC?
M23 is one of the over 100 armed groups active in eastern Congo.
, according to the UN.
Earlier this year, the group seized the major cities of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, which serves as South Kivu’s capital.
Congo signed a ceasefire agreement with the rebel group in Doha in July, but .
M23 and Congo on August 18, with both parties accusing each other of violating peace terms.
Congo also signed a peace agreement with Rwanda in June. M23, while backed by Kigali, was not a party to the deal.
Edited by: Zac Crellin
The post DR Congo, M23 agree on mechanism to monitor ceasefire appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
