The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group have agreed to establish an international body to oversee a ceasefire in the mineral-rich eastern region of the country. The deal, signed in Doha after Qatari mediation, aims to bring an end to the fighting that has displaced over 7 million people and caused significant instability in the region.

The Congolese government, led by Kinshasa, has reaffirmed its commitment to ending the conflict, protecting civilians, and laying the groundwork for lasting peace. The new international body will be responsible for investigating and verifying violations of the ceasefire, with the goal of preventing renewed clashes. The mechanism will comprise equal representation from the Congolese government and M23, as well as the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, with Qatar, the United States, and the African Union participating as observers.

The M23 rebel group, which receives backing from Rwanda, controls significant areas of North and South Kivu, and has welcomed the deal as a significant advancement. However, despite the agreement, fighting continues in the region, and both sides have missed deadlines and accused each other of breaking the terms of the ceasefire. Earlier this year, the rebels seized the major cities of Goma and Bukavu, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry has hailed the agreement as a pivotal step towards peace, and the international community will be closely watching the situation to see if the ceasefire can be effectively implemented. The establishment of the international body is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the root causes of the conflict and finding a lasting solution. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains committed to supporting the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.