Congo, M23 sign deal in Doha on ceasefire monitoring, sources say

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Congo, M23 sign deal in Doha on ceasefire monitoring, sources say

3:17 CAT | 14 Oct 2025

FILE - An M23 rebel walks on the outskirts of Matanda which is controlled by M23 rebels, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, March 22, 2025. [File photo: Reuters/Zohra Bensemra]

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group signed an agreement on Tuesday for the monitoring of an eventual “permanent ceasefire”, a step towards potentially ending fighting in eastern DRC, according to sources on both sides and a copy seen by Reuters.

The agreement is a sign of progress in Qatar-mediated talks after the two sides missed an August 18 deadline to finalise a peace deal.

Qatar has hosted multiple rounds of direct talks between the DRC government and the rebels going back to April, but they have so far dealt largely with preconditions and confidence-building measures.

The ceasefire monitoring agreement was one of two key steps to complete before talks towards a comprehensive peace agreement could begin, the sources said.

The second was a deal on a prisoner-of-war exchange that was signed in September, though the exchange itself has not happened.

M23 did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. The DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya confirmed the agreement had been signed.

Under the terms of the agreement, a ceasefire monitoring body will be formed featuring representatives of Congo, M23 and the 12-country International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), according to the copy seen by Reuters.

This body will be mandated to investigate reports of alleged ceasefire violations and is expected to meet no more than seven days after its creation.

The United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in DRC, known as MONUSCO, will be an “additional participant” and will “provide logistical coordination”.

M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters earlier this month that he opposed any operational role for MONUSCO in ceasefire monitoring, describing it as a belligerent actor because its mandate includes supporting the DRC’s army.

Representatives from the African Union (AU), Qatar and the United States (US) will participate as observers, the copy of the agreement said.

Source: Reuters