The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel group have signed a framework peace agreement aimed at ending the fighting in eastern Congo. The deal was signed in a ceremony held in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Saturday, as part of US- and Qatar-backed efforts to bring an end to the decades-long conflict.

The conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and the displacement of hundreds of thousands more this year alone. Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, stated that the agreement sets the parties on the path towards peace, emphasizing that peace cannot be enforced by force, but rather built through confidence, mutual respect, and sincere commitment.

The framework agreement covers eight protocols, with negotiations ongoing on the implementation of six of them. Qatar has been hosting talks between the two sides since April, resulting in a declaration of principles in July and a deal on the monitoring of an eventual ceasefire in October. The US has also been involved in mediation efforts, leading to a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, which is accused of backing the M23, in June.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, violence continues in the region. On Friday, local officials reported that as many as 28 people were killed by Islamic State-allied militants in eastern North Kivu province. In January, M23 fighters seized the eastern city of Goma and made gains across North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

The signing of the framework agreement is a significant step towards ending the conflict, but its implementation and the commitment of the parties involved will be crucial in achieving lasting peace. The international community will be watching closely as the situation in eastern Congo continues to unfold. With the ongoing negotiations and diplomatic efforts, there is hope that a lasting solution can be found to bring an end to the suffering of the people in the region.