DRC Peace Process: Hope Amid Skepticism in Fragile Doha Deal

From the Declaration of principles in Qatar (image source)

Reporter The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took a significant but cautious step toward peace when the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group signed a Declaration of Principles in Doha, Qatar on July 19. Brokered under Qatari mediation, the agreement aims to de-escalate conflict in eastern DRC, charting a roadmap for restoring government authority, initiating prisoner exchanges, and launching formal peace negotiations by August 8, with the goal of reaching a comprehensive settlement by August 18.

An Ambitious Framework Amid Fragility

The declaration proposes several ambitious steps:

• A ceasefire and phased withdrawal of M23 forces from urban centers,

• Prisoner exchanges and humanitarian cooperation,

• Restoration of government infrastructure in rebel-controlled areas.

According to DRC officials, including Foreign Minister Patrick Muyaya, the agreement includes a critical demand for M23 to exit key towns in North and South Kivu, notably parts of Goma, the regional capital. The rebel group M23, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, has significantly expanded its territory in 2025, triggering widespread violence and displacement. The situation prompted diplomatic intervention from the United States, culminating in a June agreement between DRC and Rwanda brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump—a controversial figure in African diplomacy, but credited with laying groundwork for the Doha accord.

Regional Reactions & Global Endorsements

The government of Rwanda called the agreement a “remarkable milestone,” while the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), under the African Union, praised the diplomatic momentum, highlighting that peace is essential to restoring health systems and public infrastructure in the war-torn region. Additional momentum was provided by Italy, where earlier Rome-brokered drafts between parties had failed to yield final agreements but set diplomatic precedents. The Doha agreement now represents the most advanced consensus between M23 and the DRC in over a decade.

Concerns Over Missing Details

Despite the optimism, analysts and observers caution that the agreement is light on specifics. Missing from the Declaration are:

• Clear disarmament frameworks,

• Transitional justice mechanisms for victims of war crimes,

• Provisions for other armed groups operating in the region.

“There is hope, yes,” said a Goma-based peace advocate. “But there is fear too. We’ve seen peace declarations fail before, especially when they’re vague on enforcement or exclude local voices.”

Many residents in eastern Congo express cautious optimism, saying the news brings some psychological relief but questioning the government's capacity to reassert control, especially without civil society participation in enforcement structures.

Implementation: The Real Test

The U.S., African Union, and United Nations have all welcomed the Doha deal, urging that implementation be prioritized. Without strict timelines, observer missions, and a multilateral enforcement mechanism, the declaration could collapse, as previous peace initiatives have.

Experts warn that external interference, particularly Rwanda’s alleged military and logistical support to M23, remains a major risk factor. Still, for a region that has endured decades of insurgency, the Doha Declaration offers a rare moment of hope. If negotiations move forward as planned and rebel forces comply, it could pave the way for one of the most significant peace breakthroughs in the DRC since the Sun City talks in 2002.