UN chief welcomes Doha declaration as AFC/M23 say 'no withdrawal'

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has commended the Declaration of Principles between DR Congo and the AFC/M23 rebels signed in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, July 14. Guterres said in a Monday post on X that he welcomed the landmark signing, adding that the UN remains committed to supporting efforts toward peace, protection of civilians & stability in the DRC in close collaboration with national authorities, regional & international partners. ALSO READ: AFC/M23, Kinshasa sign declaration of principles in Doha The Doha declaration came after three months of Qatar-mediated negotiations between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebels, who now control swathes of territory in eastern DR Congo, including the two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu. The document lays the foundation for a peace deal between the two parties that have fought since late 2021, and could end three decades of conflict in eastern DR Congo. ALSO READ: DR Congo-AFC/M23 talks: Details of new deal emerge Although the parties had agreed on the need for a ceasefire in late April, clashes have continued. Under the declaration, the two parties agreed on working towards a ceasefire and facilitating the return of refugees and internally displaced people. 'No departing from Congo' After the signing in Doha, Congolese Minister of Communication and government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya told the media that the declaration would lead to the withdrawal of the AFC/M23 rebels from their territories they hold to allow the restoration of government authority. However, the rebels have dismissed such assertions. Writing on X on Monday, AFC/M23 deputy coordinator Bertrand Bisimwa, indicated that they would not depart from the Congolese soil. Neither on the battlefield nor at the negotiating table are we working toward our departure from the country, Bisimwa said in the post. In Doha, we are negotiating favorable conditions so that every citizen can live peacefully in our country. These are matters of governance that are being addressed here.

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UN chief welcomes Doha declaration as AFC/M23 say 'no withdrawal'