The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is perhaps a model example of how peaceful transitions are leading to lasting change and peace. Most recently, in November 2022, the DRC government and M23 rebels signed the Doha Declaration of Principles. This historic deal, signed in July, acts as a sweeping but necessary roadmap towards putting an end to decades of reoccurring violence across the area. The Washington Agreement — signed in June by the DRC and Rwanda — illustrates a deep political accord. This agreement thereby directly impedes peace-building initiatives in the region.
The Doha Declaration of Principles offers such a framework. It boasts seven important pillars that would build the foundation of a sustainable peace process. These pillars include general principles, a permanent ceasefire, confidence-building measures, restoration of government authority, the return of displaced people, regional mechanisms, and a commitment to reaching a final peace agreement. This comprehensive line of action aims to respond not just to community complaints but to larger regional trends.
The Doha Declaration and the Washington Agreement are now officially one document. This administrative change reflects profound appreciation — missing among many policymakers — for how regional alignments shape incentives, operations of domestic armed groups. The DRC’s government understands that long-term stability cannot be achieved in a vacuum alone. Therefore, closer cooperation with its neighboring countries is vital. External guarantors, such as Qatar and the United States, are critical to these accords. That’s where they provide their real muscle, conjuring international scrutiny and creating positive incentives for compliance.
Both agreements stress the need for confidence-building measures while establishing clear timelines for their adoption. The Doha Declaration specifies timelines for initiating direct negotiations and signing a final peace agreement, thereby establishing clear benchmarks for progress. These timelines are important because they create accountability and help keep all sides focused on their commitments to the peace process.
Furthermore, the reaffirmation of roles for the African Union and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) within both agreements signifies a collective effort towards achieving stability in the region. This rare moment of alignment between regional and local tracks offers a genuine opportunity to back peace-building efforts that will last.
The winners of these agreements will ultimately be decided by capable implementation and management of the political narrative. All stakeholders need to show that they are truly committed to the principles outlined in both the Doha Declaration and the Washington Agreement. Only by the DRC government and M23 rebels working together can tangible progress go above the rhetoric. They need to address all issues that threaten to derail the process from the peace they’re negotiating to its longterm viability.
