Congo and M23 sign deal in Doha to monitor a ceasefire - hopeful steps, insha'Allah
Assalamu Alaikum - Quick update from Doha: Congo and the M23 rebel group signed an agreement on Tuesday to set up monitoring for a potential “permanent ceasefire,” a move that could help bring an end to the fighting in eastern Congo, according to both sides and a copy seen by reporters. It’s a sign of progress from talks hosted by Qatar, though the two sides had missed an August 18 deadline to finish a full peace deal.
Qatar has been arranging direct meetings between the Congolese government and the rebels since April. This new agreement on ceasefire monitoring was one of two main steps needed before they could start negotiating a wider peace pact. The other step - a prisoner-of-war exchange deal - was signed in September, but the actual exchange hasn’t happened yet.
Under the new deal a monitoring body will be formed with representatives from Congo, M23, and the 12-country International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. That group will look into reported ceasefire violations and is expected to meet within seven days of being set up. The UN peacekeeping mission in Congo, MONUSCO, will join as an “additional participant” to help with logistics. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa has said he doesn’t want MONUSCO to have an operational role, calling it biased because it supports Congo’s army. Observers from the African Union, Qatar and the United States will also take part.
Rwanda-backed M23 carried out a fast offensive in eastern Congo this year, taking the region’s two biggest cities and causing heavy casualties and mass displacement. Rwanda denies supporting the group and says its forces act in self-defence, but a group of UN experts reported in July that Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels. The US administration earlier helped broker a separate deal between Congo and Rwanda in June.
Some officials have said the fighting has quieted, while UN envoys warn the violence continues and that past promises haven’t always been kept. May Allah bring peace to the people affected and protect the innocent - insha'Allah these steps lead to real and lasting calm.
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