The Doha Framework for the Peace Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Congo River Alliance (M23 Movement) was signed yesterday in Doha.
The agreement, signed in the presence of Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, marks a new and important milestone in the ongoing peace process facilitated by Qatar.
The new pact has been developed on the momentum of the Doha Declaration of Principles signed on July 19 in Doha.
The framework reaffirms the parties’ shared commitment to addressing the root causes of the conflict through structured dialogue, confidence-building measures, and a phased approach to de-escalation and stabilisation.
Addressing a joint press conference along Presidential Envoy and Senior Advisor for Africa at the US Department of State H E Massad Boulos; H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi appreciated the confidence placed by both sides in the State of Qatar and its pivotal role as a committed mediator tasked with facilitating the peace process and pushing it forward toward peace and stability.
“The strength of any mediation lies in the trust granted by the parties to the mediator and in the mediator’s ability to navigate complexities with fairness and impartiality.
“We would also like to praise the significant support provided by President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo H E Félix Tshisekedi, and his firm backing of all efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement of this process.
“Likewise, we commend the constructive cooperation shown by the leader of the M23 Movement, Bertrand Bisimwa, for his positive engagement during the negotiation sessions.”
He said that the efforts of the State of Qatar began when Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hosted both H E Félix Tshisekedi and H E Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, in Doha in March.
This meeting marked the starting point of the peace process, resulting in a pivotal decision to open channels of dialogue with the M23 Movement.”
He said that since then, Doha has hosted several rounds of direct negotiations between the parties, beginning in March.
“In our role as facilitator, we have worked throughout these rounds to turn moments of tension into opportunities for negotiation and to open channels of communication when all doors seemed closed.”
He added, “The efforts of the parties over the past months resulted in concrete progress on several key issues, including the signing of the mechanism for the release of detainees on 14 September 2025, and the mechanism for communication and verification of the ceasefire on October 14, 2025.”
He noted that the signing of the framework does not represent the end of the journey but rather the beginning of a comprehensive peace process.
“Peace cannot be imposed by force… it is built through trust, mutual respect, and sincere commitment in service of the people.”
He said that the comprehensive peace agreement will be derived from this framework and will consist of eight implementation protocols, two of which have already been signed, while the remaining six will be negotiated in the coming days.
“These protocols will define the mechanisms of implementation, timelines, and sequencing of measures.
“They include protocols on humanitarian access and protection; restoration of state authority; governance reforms and national power-sharing arrangements; temporary security arrangements, disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of armed groups; withdrawal of foreign armed groups; identity, citizenship, and the return and reintegration of internally displaced persons and refugees; economic and social recovery; and justice and reconciliation.”
He also extended his gratitude to all partners who played an essential role in achieving this milestone, including the United States of America and the Office of President Trump.
Congo’s President’s high representative Sumbu Sita Mambu, and head of the M23 group delegation Benjamin Mbonimpa took part in a ceremony to sign a framework agreement for a peace deal.
Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi (right) and Presidential Envoy and Senior Advisor for Africa at the US Department of State H E Massad Boulos speaking during the signing ceremony in Doha yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Boulos, in the press conference, thanked Qatar for the partnership and steadfast alliance with the United States.
“H H the Amir and H E President Trump are excellent partners, and they’ve done so much together, and I think the sky is the limit. This partnership has shown how important it is to work in this spirit, in this spirit of peacemaking.”
He added, “This is only a testament to how these partnerships can produce positive results. And as we progress, we are seeing more and more on the Gaza plan, the Trump-Gaza plan, that is being implemented, which has shown to be so far the right plan. So far, it’s been quite successful.
“Of course, there are always some obstacles here and there, but we have to look at the end game. The endgame is looking great.”
On the Congo peace deal, he said, “We have worked so hard with our partners—the Qataris, the African Union, Togo, and all the others, which include France, the UK, and several others. We’ve worked so hard now for several months, and we’ve achieved so much.”
“Today is a historic occasion. It’s historic in many ways. It’s definitely a starting point. This framework agreement is just the beginning, but we know that the end will be quite fruitful.”
The Doha Framework serves as the foundational reference document for the broader peace process.
To ensure effective and practical implementation, the Parties have agreed that a series of subsequent protocols, annexes, and technical arrangements will be developed in the coming period.
These will address specific operational aspects, including the consolidation and verification of the ceasefire, modalities for troop disengagement, humanitarian access, reintegration pathways, and support for national dialogue.
Once adopted, these protocols and annexes will form an integral and harmonised part of the Doha Framework for the Peace Agreement, ensuring coherence, clarity, and phased implementation.
(The Peninsula)
