【By Chen Sijia, Observer Group】On November 15 local time, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the rebel group "M23 Movement" signed a comprehensive peace framework agreement in Doha, Qatar. According to Al Jazeera of Qatar, the framework agreement cannot immediately end the conflict in the eastern region of the DRC, but it outlines a roadmap for ceasing hostilities and improving the humanitarian situation, laying the foundation for the final peace agreement.

The DRC government stated that the framework agreement signed this time contains eight measures. Among them, two measures regarding ceasefire monitoring and prisoner exchange had been signed earlier this year, while the remaining six measures, including restoring national institutions' authority in the conflict areas, implementing economic reforms, ensuring humanitarian access, and resettling refugees, will be negotiated within the next two weeks.

Mohamed Al-Khulaifi, Undersecretary of State at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that both sides agreed to establish an independent committee to promote peace and propose compensation recommendations within a constitutional reconciliation framework. He revealed that the parties have made progress on several substantive issues and will continue to advance the peace process based on the agreements discussed and signed in the past few months.

Al-Khulaifi said that the latest framework agreement strengthens the peace process and helps "find peaceful solutions through dialogue and understanding," to restore peace in the eastern region of the DRC.

Handshake between representatives of the DRC and the "M23 Movement" by Visual China

Massad Boulos, a senior advisor to the U.S. President participating in the talks, said that the U.S. and Qatar jointly facilitated the framework agreement, which will serve as a "stepping stone" toward achieving the final peace agreement.

"This is just the beginning, but we know the final outcome will be fruitful," said Boulos. "Today is a historic moment in many ways. People expect immediate results, but it's a process, not a light switch that can be turned on or off at will; it involves many layers."

U.S. and Qatari officials believe the framework agreement is an "important step towards peace." However, Boulos admitted that the implementation of the two measures regarding ceasefire monitoring and prisoner exchange has progressed slower than expected.

Benjamin Mbonimpa, head of the "M23 Movement" delegation, said that the peace framework agreement was reached under the mediation of Qatar and the United States, outlining the measures needed to achieve a peace agreement, but it is not the final peace agreement. He emphasized: "Before each measure is debated, negotiated, and discussed to reach a final agreement, there will be no change in the local situation and activities."

Al Jazeera reported that after the signing of the framework agreement, the situation in the eastern region of the DRC did not show significant changes. On the 15th, the "M23 Movement" forces were bombed by the DRC government forces, but managed to seize more positions from the government forces.

Situation in the eastern region of the DRC

Since January this year, the tension in the eastern region of the DRC has rapidly escalated, with the "M23 Movement" continuously launching offensives in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces and capturing the DRC's largest city in the east, Goma.

The DRC government accused its neighboring country Rwanda of supporting the "M23 Movement," using border security issues as a "smokescreen" to plunder the DRC's mineral resources. The Rwandan government firmly denied this, stating that its military is used to defend against domestic enemies along the border.

Qatar has been hosting multiple rounds of direct talks between the DRC and the "M23 Movement" since April. The two sides signed a statement of principles in July to end the conflict, promising to take key steps such as permanently ceasing hostilities, exchanging prisoners, restoring national institutions' governance in the conflict areas, and initiating direct negotiations toward the final peace agreement.

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