The News
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels agreed to an “immediate” ceasefire late Wednesday, raising hopes for peace after decades of conflict in the DRC’s mineral-rich east.
The two sides said they would halt fighting in the eastern DRC — where M23 has captured two major cities — while they “work towards” a truce, in talks mediated by Qatar.
Congolese authorities say 7,000 people have been killed in fighting since M23 renewed its offensive in January, raising fears of a regional war.
At least six ceasefire deals have collapsed since 2021 and sources from both sides told Reuters that proposed “confidence-building measures” — including the release of Congo-held prisoners accused of having links to the rebels — had almost derailed the talks.