Qatar has announced the signing of a framework agreement between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the March 23 Movement (M23), marking a renewed attempt to advance a long-delayed peace process in eastern DRC.

The agreement, revealed Saturday, builds on the Declaration of Principles signed on July 19 and reaffirms both parties’ commitment to address the root causes of the conflict through structured dialogue, confidence-building measures, and a phased de-escalation roadmap, according to a statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Qatar said the new framework will serve as the central reference document for the broader peace process. It sets the stage for the development of protocols and technical mechanisms covering ceasefire verification, troop disengagement, humanitarian access, reintegration pathways, and support for national dialogue.

The DRC government welcomed the agreement, calling it “a decisive step” toward an inclusive and sustainable peace in the country’s east. Authorities stressed that “no status quo is compatible with the objective of peace,” noting that the process must quickly translate into tangible improvements for affected communities.

However, the M23 signaled a more cautious stance. In a post on X, the group’s chief negotiator in Doha, Benjamin Mbonimpa, said the framework contains “no binding clauses,” meaning no immediate changes on the ground. He said progress will depend on negotiating each protocol “one by one,” urging supporters to remain patient.

Despite earlier commitments to begin negotiations in August and conclude a peace agreement by mid-August, both milestones passed without movement.

The M23, now part of the Alliance Fleuve Congo, has expanded its control since its resurgence in late 2021, taking strategic centers including Goma and Bukavu and setting up parallel administration structures. The advances have further weakened state institutions and deepened the humanitarian crisis.

According to the United Nations, more than 2.4 million people have been displaced since January 2025, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons to nearly 6 million. An additional 1 million Congolese have fled to neighboring countries, while 27 million face hunger.| NNA TV+ / Xinhwa Report