DR Congo, M23 rebels sign ceasefire deal in Qatar

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group signed in Qatar on Saturday a declaration of principles to end fighting in eastern Congo.

The declaration was signed between representatives from both sides in Doha.

The M23 armed group, which seized vast swathes of mineral-rich territory in eastern DRC in a lightning offensive in January and February, had insisted on seeking its own ceasefire deal with Kinshasa after its Rwandan ally signed a peace agreement in Washington last month.

Eastern DRC has been racked by conflict for more than three decades, creating a humanitarian crisis and forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.

Thousands of people were killed in the M23 offensive earlier this year which saw the rebels capture the key provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu.

The front line has stabilized since February, but fighting still breaks out regularly between the M23 and multiple pro-government militias.

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