Declaration Conjointe Des Representants De La Republique Democratique Du Congo Et De L'Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement Du 23 Mars (AFC/M23)

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Country/entity: Democratic Republic of Congo
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Declaration Conjointe Des Representants De La Republique Democratique Du Congo Et De L'Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement Du 23 Mars (AFC/M23)
Date: 23 Apr 2025
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Congo Civil Wars (1996 - )
The overthrow of the long-term dictator Mobutu Sese Seko by a rebel Tutsi army backed by Uganda and Rwanda in 1997 acted as a catalyst for a war with regional dimensions, mainly fought in the eastern Kivu provinces. The conflict escalated in 1998, when President Laurent Kabila, then backed by Zimbabwean and Angolan troops, ordered Rwanda and Uganda to leave. After Kabila’s assassination in 2001, his son Joseph took over the presidency and won in the 2006 democratic elections.

In the eastern provinces, Tutsi-led militias, mainly organised in the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), fought the remnants of the Rwandan Hutu force FDLR, with further involvement of Rwandan and Ugandan troops. Other regionally operating militia groups, like the Lord’s Resistance Army from Northern Uganda, the so-called Mai Mai groups or guerrilla outfits like the March 23 Movement (M23) further contributed, and still contribute, to the complexity of the situation in eastern DRC.

Following Joseph Kabila's departure in 2019, his successor Félix Tshisekedi faced renewed instability as the M23 rebel group, dormant since 2013, resumed operations in late 2021 with substantial Rwandan support. In January 2025, M23 forces backed by Rwandan troops captured the regional capital Goma in the most serious escalation since the Second Congo War. This prompted U.S. mediation under President Trump, leading to talks in Qatar in March 2025 and a preliminary peace agreement signed in Washington on June 27, 2025. The Washington Accords were formally signed by Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame on December 4, 2025, committing Rwanda to withdraw troops and cease M23 support while the DRC pledged to neutralize the FDLR and establish regional economic integration with significant U.S. commercial involvement. However, fighting continues as of late 2025, with both sides accused of violating commitments.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: DRC: the Doha Track for Eastern DRC
Parties: For the delegation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the peace talks with AFC/M23, Papy MBUYI KANGUVU, Head of Delegation

Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23)
Third parties: -
Description: This joint declaration establishes a commitment between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel movement to pursue peaceful resolution of their conflict through dialogue facilitated by Qatar. Both parties agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities, rejection of hate speech, and commitment to constructive dialogue addressing the root causes of conflict in eastern DRC. The agreement serves as a framework for future peace talks while calling on local communities, religious leaders, and media to support the peace process.

Agreement document

DC_250523_Declaration Conjointe des Representants de la Republique Democratique du Congo_EN | Download PDF

Agreement document (original language)

DC_250523_Declaration Conjointe des Representants de la Republique Democratique du Congo | Download PDF

Source of document

https://minbane.wordpress.com/2025/04/24/https-wp-me-p1xtjg-rgc-2/

https://www.facebook.com/congonewsactu/photos/d%C3%A9claration-conjointe-des-representants-de-la-republique-democratique-du-congo-e/1363229051994108/?_rdr

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: The two parties call on the Congolese people, the religious chiefs and the media to support and spread this message of hope and peace.
Traditional/religious leaders: The two parties call on the Congolese people, the religious chiefs and the media to support and spread this message of hope and peace.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
By mutual agreement, the two parties reaffirm their commitment in favour of an immediate cessation of hostilities, the unequivocal rejection of any hate or intimidation speech, and call on all local communities to respect these commitments.
The two parties call on the Congolese people, the religious chiefs and the media to support and spread this message of hope and peace.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
The representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the AFC/M23 commit to immediately abide by these commitments during the entire duration of the talks and until their conclusion.
Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
After frank and constructive discussions, the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the AFC/M23 agreed to work towards the realisation of a truce that should allow for the establishment of an effective ceasefire.
By mutual agreement, the two parties reaffirm their commitment in favour of an immediate cessation of hostilities, the unequivocal rejection of any hate or intimidation speech, and call on all local communities to respect these commitments.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.

Joint declaration of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23)

In a spirit of mutual understanding and common willingness to solve the conflict through peaceful means, representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the AFC/M23 held peace talks facilitated by the State of Qatar.

After frank and constructive discussions, the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the AFC/M23 agreed to work towards the realisation of a truce that should allow for the establishment of an effective ceasefire.

By mutual agreement, the two parties reaffirm their commitment in favour of an immediate cessation of hostilities, the unequivocal rejection of any hate or intimidation speech, and call on all local communities to respect these commitments.

The two parties agree to respect the above-mentioned commitments, [ a respect ] that will pave the way to a constructive dialogue to restore a lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the region.

This dialogue will deal with the root causes of the current conflict as well as the terms and conditions to end the conflict in the territories of the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the AFC/M23 commit to immediately abide by these commitments during the entire duration of the talks and until their conclusion.

The two parties call on the Congolese people, the religious chiefs and the media to support and spread this message of hope and peace.

The representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the AFC/M23 express their sincere gratitude to the State of Qatar for its continuous efforts and its unwavering commitment to facilitate these peace talks that contribute to progressing the dialogue and promoting a mutual understanding.

Done in Kinshasa, 23 April 2025,

For the delegation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the peace talks with AFC/M23

Papy MBUYI KANGUVU, Head of Delegation