Hope For the DRC: An End to Its 30-year War?

After nearly thirty years of active conflict, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels have, in a move that could finally bring an end to the thirty-year crisis that has strained relations between the DRC and Rwanda, converged in Qatar to sign a ceasefire deal. The long-awaited deal between both parties has been anticipated following the failed attempts of the East African Community’s initiative, the Nairobi Process, and the Luanda Process spearheaded by Angola, to restore the broken relationship between the DRC and Rwanda. 

The strained relationship between Rwanda and the DRC can be traced to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. The genocide saw about 800,000 mass killings and the marginalization of the Tutsi in Rwanda. Following the victory of the Tutsi-led rebels commanded by Paul Kagame, the genocide was put to an end. However, in fear of the Tutsi-led government, an estimated one million Hutus fled Rwanda to take refuge in the DRC. Among those who fled were members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an ethnic group of Hutus who were also involved in the genocide of ethnic Tutsis in Rwanda. Since then, Rwanda has justified its defensive measures in the DRC, claiming that the FDLR is a “genocidal militia” which poses a threat to Rwanda’s existence and is supported by the DRC.

In 2012, the rebel group experienced a series of defeats from the Congolese army and a United Nations force, forcing them to retreat from Goma, which they had seized.  It was also agreed that they would be integrated into the Congolese army. However, the group reemerged in 2021, claiming that the promise to integrate them into the Congolese army was broken. Amid this backdrop, Rwanda has been accused by the DRC and the United Nations of funding the M23 movement and fighting alongside them, an allegation that President  Kagame continues to deny. All these factors have led to the sour relationship between Rwanda and the DRC.

Given the rapid development of the conflict, regional bodies, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), have tried to mediate the conflict, but to no avail. Most notable was the Luanda Process, spearheaded by Angola. While efforts had been made regarding the process, the rebel group pulled out at the last minute in response to the sanctions that had been placed on its principal members by the European Union. 

In a turn of events, on March 23, both the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, and the President of the DRC, Félix Tshisekedi, met in Doha, Qatar, and agreed to an “immediate ceasefire,” but tensions remained on the ground. Building on the peace talks in Qatar, the United States of America, regarding President Félix Tshisekedi’s offer to exchange the DRC’s minerals, most especially cobalt, for security, brokered another peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda. Nevertheless, the peace deal was under scrutiny since the M23 rebels, who are also key players in the conflict, were not actively included. Nonetheless, it seems the M23 rebel group is also ready to put an end to the conflict.

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, representatives from both the DRC and the M23 movement converged at Qatar to sign a peace deal now referred to as the “Declaration of Principles.” The agreement implores both parties to put a halt to attacks, “ hate propaganda,” and “any attempt to seize by force new positions on the ground.” The two parties have agreed to implement the deal’s terms by July 29 and start negotiating towards a comprehensive agreement by August 8.

While many still look to the failed attempts of different peace deals and initiatives to restore peace, the recent “Declaration of Principles” may just have the potential to restore peace to all parties involved in the conflict due to the influence of Qatar and the United States of America. Some sources have mentioned that there will be further talks between Qatar and the DRC in Washington to meet with Trump, though no date has been fixed yet.