On February 7, 2025, members of the Congolese community in South Africa gathered outside the Parliament Building in Cape Town, waving national flags during a demonstration aimed at drawing attention to the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Their protest coincided with growing international efforts to address the crisis.
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, signed a ceasefire agreement on Saturday aimed at halting the violence that has plagued the mineral-rich but conflict-torn eastern region of the DRC.
The ceasefire, titled the “Declaration of Principles,” was the outcome of three months of negotiations held in Doha, Qatar. This follows an earlier peace accord signed in Washington between the DRC and Rwanda, although the M23 had expressed dissatisfaction with that deal, arguing it failed to address critical concerns.
According to the new agreement, both parties pledged to uphold a permanent ceasefire and committed to refraining from inciting hate speech or attempting to forcibly seize new territory. The declaration also includes a commitment to engage in direct negotiations toward a comprehensive and lasting peace settlement.
The African Union welcomed the agreement, describing it as a “significant development” and a crucial step toward achieving long-term peace and stability in eastern Congo and the broader Great Lakes region.
A roadmap for restoring state authority in eastern DRC is also part of the agreement. It includes plans for the withdrawal of M23 forces from occupied territories, followed by the reinstatement of Congolese state institutions and the national army.
Patrick Muyaya, spokesperson for the DRC government, emphasized that the deal respects the country’s non-negotiable conditions, particularly the complete withdrawal of M23 fighters. He also indicated that a comprehensive peace agreement is expected to be finalized in the coming days.
The implementation of the ceasefire terms is set to begin by July 29, with formal negotiations for a lasting agreement scheduled to commence by August 8. Additionally, Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda are expected to meet soon to reinforce the Washington agreement, which remains largely unimplemented.
Despite Rwanda’s denial of involvement, United Nations experts have reported that the Rwandan military played a key role in M23’s recent offensive, including direct engagement in combat operations.
Meanwhile, questions linger over a potential side deal concerning the DRC’s mineral resources. Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously claimed to have secured an agreement regarding the country’s mineral wealth, and President Tshisekedi acknowledged in April that he had held discussions on the subject with U.S. special envoy Massad Boulos.
The eastern DRC has endured over three decades of armed conflict, fueled largely by the region’s vast mineral resources. The recent M23 offensive early this year resulted in thousands of deaths and led to the capture of major cities like Goma and Bukavu. While the conflict’s frontlines have remained largely static since February, sporadic clashes continue between M23 and pro-government militias.
As the region awaits the next phase of negotiations, the ceasefire marks a cautious but hopeful step toward ending one of Africa’s longest-running and most complex conflicts.
