DR Congo and M23 Sign Doha Framework, Setting Stage for Peace Talks but Major Disputes Persist

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel group have signed a framework agreement in Doha, establishing eight separate protocols that will guide detailed negotiations aimed at ending the long-running conflict in eastern Congo.

Both delegations said each protocol must be negotiated and completed individually before any final peace deal can be reached.

The signing follows months of intensified fighting in North and South Kivu, where M23 has captured major cities, including Goma and seized large mineral-rich areas, strengthening its leverage in talks.

Qatar, which has hosted several negotiation rounds since April, said the framework is a step toward stabilisation but emphasised that substantial issues remain.

Key topics for negotiation include restoring state authority in occupied territories, governance reforms, the return of millions of displaced civilians, and the potential joint management of areas currently held by M23. The framework does not immediately change conditions on the ground, and progress will depend on sequential completion of each protocol.

The United States welcomed the Doha agreement, calling it a starting point for a longer peace process, though regional tensions remain high. Kinshasa continues to accuse Rwanda of supporting M23; claims Kigali denies even as Washington mediates between the two neighbours.

Despite incremental diplomatic gains, the humanitarian crisis remains severe, with thousands killed and millions displaced as fighting continues across eastern Congo.