Africa-Press – Rwanda. The Government of DR Congo and the AFC/M23 rebels on Saturday, July 19, signed the Declaration of Principles for a peace agreement, after three months of negotiations in Doha, Qatar. Below are the details of the agreement as signed in Doha:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES BETWEEN THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ALLIANCE FLEUVE CONGO/MARCH 23RD MOVEMENT (AFC/M23) (THE PARTIES), IN SUPPORT OF A PATHWAY TO A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT, FACILITATED BY THE STATE OF QATAR
1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The Parties recognize that lasting peace is the essential foundation for building a united, prosperous, and secure nation, for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In reference to the fundamental principles of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Charter of the African Union, the Charter of the United Nations and its relevant resolutions, and the international law, the Parties reaffirm their commitment to resolving the conflict through peaceful means, in the interest of protecting the people of the DRC.
The Parties commit to fully cooperate with international and regional organizations to ensure the ability to protect civilians and to advance the implementation of the present Declaration of Principles.
The Parties commit to a pathway to resolve their disputes by peaceful means grounded in diplomacy and negotiation rather than hostile force or rhetoric in consistent with the EAC-SADC framework, as endorsed by the African Union.
The Parties commit to transcend the past and open a new chapter of mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence, and stability.
The Parties commit to overcoming the divisions that weaken national unity, improving the living conditions of the population, and rejecting all forms of dehumanizing speech in order to promote peace and reconciliation. The Parties reaffirm their attachment to the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the
DRE.
The Parties reaffirm the commitments made in their joint Declaration of April 23, 2025.
2, PERMANENT CEASEFIRE
The Parties acknowledge that peace, security, and stability are essential to increase development opportunities, improve living conditions, and protect human dignity.
The Parties commit to uphold their commitment to a permanent ceasefire, that includes the following: o Air, land, sea or lakes attacks, as well as all acts of sabotage:
Hate propaganda:
o. Any attempt to seize by force new positions on the ground;
The Parties commit to ensure that the ceasefire applies to all forces engaged in the conflict. An oversight and verification mechanism will be created to define the modalities of the ceasefire and insure its proper
implementation.
The Parties convene to refrain from any action that may hinder the normal progress of cease fire process.
3. CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES
The Parties commit to take measures that reassure the population of DRC and create favorable conditions for dialogue leading to lasting peace.
The Parties underscore the importance of according to a sense of urgency to the implementation of each confidence building measure, recognizing their critical role in fostering trust and advancing the peace process.
The Parties commit to creating the necessary conditions for the implementation of confidence-building measures. These measures include the following:
Establish a mechanism facilitated by ICRC, in the context of the Congolese law, to arrange for the release of prisoners/detainees of interest held by either Party.
4. RESTORING GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY
The Parties acknowledge that the restoration of government authority is the logical consequence of effectively addressing the reasons of the conflict through a peace agreement.
The Parties recognize that the complete restoration of state authority on all national territories constitutes a key component for the peace agreement, which will include the modalities and process of such restoration.
5. RETURN OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND REFUGEES
• The Parties commit to facilitating the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their areas or countries of origin, in accordance with the tripartite, the DRC-Country of exile-UNHCR. This process will be conducted in compliance with the international humanitarian law.
6. MONUSCO AND REGIONAL MECHANISMS
• The Parties in principle commit to protecting, facilitating, and promoting the protection of civilian populations, as well as the implementation of the ceasefire with the support of MONUSCO and regional mechanisms where appropriate for an agreed verification mechanism.
7. PEACE AGREEMENT
The Parties recognize the importance of having a peace agreement that aim to guarantee security. sustainable development, social justice, and the protection of the human rights of the people of DRC, and the safe and dignified return of refugees while addressing the root causes of the conflict.
The Parties commit to implementing the provisions of this Declaration of Principles immediarely upon its signature and no later than 29 July 2025.
The Parties further commit to entering into direct negotiations immediately following the implementation of the provisions of this Declaration of Principles, to start negotiating a peace agreement no later than 8 August 2025. These negotiations shall align with the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda signed in Washington on 27 June 2025.
The Parties commit to negotiating a comprehensive peace agreement in a spirit of responsibility and cooperation, with the shared goal of reaching consensus and signing the agreement no later than 18 August 2025.
The Parties appreciates the essential role played by the Stare of Qatar in facilitating this dialogue between the Parties that led to the present Declaration of Principles.
The Parties express their appreciation for the constructive role played by the United States of America in supporting the Doha peace talks.
The Parties express their appreciation for the efforts made by the African Union since the inception of the peace process, and for its continued commitment to supporting regional stability and reconciliation.
Signed in Doha, State of Qatar on 19 July 2025, in duplicate, in the French and English languages.
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Mr. Sumbu Sita Mambu
Senior Representative of the President in charge of Luanda and Nairobi processes.
FOR THE ALLIANCE FLEUVE CONGO/MARCH 23RD MOVEMENT (AFC/M23)
Mr. Benjamin MBONIMPA
Permanent Secretary of AFC/M23
Source: The New Times
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