In a major diplomatic breakthrough for the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Congolese government and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels agreed to a ceasefire bringing a halt to nearly four months of intense fighting that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands.
The agreement was announced on April 23, 2025, as a part of mediation efforts by Qatar. In March, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani convened a meeting with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to discuss the situation in the DRC. Their historic meeting opened up the possibility for direct talks between the DRC and M23 which had previously been stalled. These negotiations culminated in statements pledging a cessation of hostilities until peace talks could conclude in a formal settlement through further talks in Doha.
Just two days after these talks, representatives of the DRC and Rwanda met in Washington DC in a meeting brokered by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the “Declaration of Principles for peace in the eastern DRC”. Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos, outlined during the ceremony that the declaration, “commits the parties to mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, addressing security concerns, promoting regional economic integration, facilitating the return of displaced persons, supporting MONUSCO, and drafting a peace agreement.”
Rubio and Boulos both emphasized that achieving peace in the DRC’s mineral-rich eastern region would be advantageous for US and Western firms. The United States has also been involved in highly criticized negotiations with the Congo which would see the US get favorable access to its vast mineral wealth in exchange for security services.
Read more: Congolese activists decry US-Congo mineral deal
The Conflict in Congo
The ceasefire follows a devastating escalation of violence that began in January 2025, when the M23 Movement launched a major offensive in the eastern provinces of the DRC. Quickly gaining ground, M23 forces captured strategic towns and cities, including Goma, Bukavu, and Walikale, and established parallel administrations in areas under their control, directly challenging the authority of the Congolese state.
The fighting created a severe humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations, over 7,000 people have been killed since the conflict reignited, while humanitarian agencies estimate that more than 500,000 civilians have been displaced across the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, adding to the already millions of displaced in the region.
Tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali flared throughout the conflict. The DRC government repeatedly accused Rwanda of providing direct military support to M23 – allegations Rwanda has consistently denied. Nonetheless, UN reports and independent investigations have documented evidence of external support to the rebel group, deepening regional mistrust and drawing international concern.
The ceasefire agreement also builds upon months of increased regional and international engagement aimed at stabilizing eastern Congo.
The African Union (AU) on January 28, 2025, convened an emergency ministerial meeting of its Peace and Security Council to respond to the deteriorating security situation in the DRC.
Similarly, at the beginning of 2025, the EAC in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened a joint strategy meeting in March 2025, aimed at forging a united regional approach to restoring peace and stability in eastern Congo.
Next steps
While the announcement of the ceasefire has been widely welcomed, many observers remain cautious. The DRC has witnessed several failed ceasefires in the past, largely due to unresolved grievances, interests over the control of mineral-rich areas, and the proliferation of armed groups operating in different areas of the Congo.
Regional organizations such as the AU, EAC, and SADC are expected to continue providing political backing and direction on the ceasefire.
Nevertheless, the real test lies ahead on whether the commitments made at the negotiating table translate into sustainable peace on the ground, offering the people of eastern Congo a long-overdue chance at stability, security, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives since the war began.
