The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the rebel group March 23rd Movement (M23) signed a framework agreement in Qatar this Saturday (15 November 2025), paving the way for a future peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict in the country’s east that escalated in January this year.
According to local media, the document was signed by representatives from both sides at a ceremony in Doha, the capital of Qatar, which has been brokering talks since April last year. However, the document does not yet constitute a final peace agreement, but rather establishes the methodology and timeline for the next round of negotiations.
Both sides confirmed the cessation of hostilities in the document and reiterated their commitment to release prisoners in line with mechanisms already agreed at consecutive meetings held in September and October. This year, the fighting has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more, raising the risk of a full-scale regional war.
Eight protocols for peace
The framework agreement also provides for the creation of eight protocols, which must be negotiated within weeks of signing and will address the “deep” causes of the conflict. As M23 delegates explained after the ceremony, these protocols will serve as chapters that will be developed “later” and will need to be continually negotiated and signed until a global peace agreement is reached.
“This signed framework agreement does not contain any binding provisions, which means that the situation on the ground or any activities will not be modified until each protocol is discussed and negotiated one after the other, and finally a world peace agreement is concluded,” he stressed.
Since April, Qatar has hosted several face-to-face talks between the Congolese government and the M23, culminating in the signing of a declaration of principles to end the fighting on July 19, but the matter has sparked skepticism among experts.
LGC (AFP, Reuters)
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