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This is the latest of several documents signed in recent months as part of U.S. and Qatari-backed efforts to end the decades-long conflict that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more this year.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group have signed a framework peace agreement aimed at ending the fighting in eastern Congo. The signing took place during a ceremony in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Saturday.
This is the latest of several documents signed in recent months as part of U.S. and Qatari-backed efforts to end the decades-long conflict that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more this year.
The Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs stated that the agreement commits the parties to the path of peace. U.S. representatives said the framework covers eight protocols and that negotiations are ongoing on how to implement six of them.
Qatar has been hosting talks between the two sides since April. In July, they agreed on a declaration of principles, and in October, they concluded an agreement on monitoring a potential ceasefire.
The previous administration led mediation efforts between Rwanda — accused of supporting M23 — and Congo, resulting in the signing of a peace agreement between the two countries in June.