DRC/AFC-M23 Declaration of Principles: Withdrawal of rebel troops taken into account

Kinshasa, July 20^th, 2025 (CPA). – The Declaration of Principles signed on Saturday in Doha (Qatar) between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rebel troops of the ‘ March 23^rd Movement and the Congo River Alliance (M23-AFC)’ takes into account their non-negotiable withdrawal from the occupied areas, the Congolese government spokesperson said on his X account. ‘The Declaration of Principles that has just been signed in Doha with the AFC/M23 under the facilitation of Qatar takes into account the red lines that we have always defended, in particular the non-negotiable withdrawal of the AFC/M23 from the occupied areas followed by the deployment of our institutions (FARDC, PNC, justice, administration),’ wrote Patrick Muyaya, government spokesperson. According to him, this declaration is based on strict compliance with the Constitution of the DRC, the Charter of the United Nations and the African Union, international law and Security Council resolutions, in particular Resolution 2773, and is in line with the Washington agreement. He added that it contains several clear commitments to peace, the protection of civilians and national sovereignty, and paves the way for a comprehensive peace agreement to be concluded in the coming days in order to bring a lasting end to the conflict in eastern DRC. ‘This objective responds to the deep aspiration of the President of the Republic to restore peace in the east of our country,’ concluded Patrick Muyaya, who is also Minister of Communication and Media. On the Congolese side, Mr Sumbu Sita, High Representative of President Félix Tshisekedi, signed the Declaration of Principles concluded with the March 23^rd  Movement and the Congo River Alliance (M23-AFC) for the return of peace in eastern DRC. Since early 2025, the Rwandan army and its M23 auxiliaries and allies have occupied two provincial capitals: Goma and Bukavu. On June 27^th in Washington, the Congolese and Rwandan foreign ministers signed a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda. ACP/