ISTANBUL

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rebel March 23 Movement (M23) signed a peace framework in Doha on Saturday following Qatari and US mediation.

Qatari Minister of State at the Foreign Ministry Mohammed Al-Khulaifi said the agreement, known as the Doha Framework for Comprehensive Peace, “lays the foundation for peace and stability” between Kinshasa and the M23.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Khulaifi said efforts are now focused on turning the peace framework into concrete progress on the ground.

“Work is continuing to achieve peace through appropriate mechanisms for implementing the agreement in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.

The state minister added that the breakthrough was reached after “the good offices of our partners, led by the United States, the African Union and Togo.”

He described the signing as “a historic opportunity” that places a responsibility on both sides to carry out the deal.

Qatar’s role, he said, is not aimed at resolving every dispute at once but at establishing a structured framework that contains core protocols to be negotiated.

These “include restoring state authority, governance reforms, inclusive national power-sharing arrangements, issues of identity and citizenship, the return and resettlement of internally displaced people and refugees, and economic recovery with improved social services,” Khulaifi said.

According to the state minister, the comprehensive peace agreement will consist of the framework document and eight protocols -- two already signed and six more to be negotiated within two weeks from the date of the framework’s signing.

He added that the parties agreed that the Congolese government will establish an independent commission to promote truth, reconciliation, and accountability for crimes and to recommend suitable reparations as part of a transitional justice process.

“The commission’s structure and mandate will be aligned with the constitution and international law,” he said.

The M23 movement, widely accused by Kinshasa and the UN of receiving support from neighboring Rwanda, an allegation Kigali denies, has expanded its control over strategic areas in eastern DRC this year.

Multiple regional and international mediation efforts have taken place, most recently led by the US, Qatar, and the African Union.

On Oct. 14, Doha hosted the signing of a monitoring and verification mechanism for a ceasefire between the DRC government and the M23.