Kinshasa, July 20th, 2025 (CPA).- French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed on Saturday the signing of the Declaration of Principles between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23/AFC rebel troops, thanks to the mediation of the Qatari authorities, in a message posted on his X account. ‘I welcome the agreement of principles by the DRC and the M23/AFC thanks to the mediation of Qatar and its Emir. For the Congolese people and the Great Lakes region, the momentum for peace is restoring hope and confidence,’ read the French President’s X account. According to the Congolese Minister of Communication and Media, this Declaration of Principles signed on Saturday in Doha (Qatar) between the DRC and the rebel troops of the ‘March 23rd Movement and the Congo River Alliance (M23-AFC)’ takes into account their non-negotiable withdrawal from the occupied areas in the east of the country. ‘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, on his X account.
He specified that this agreement 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. In addition, Patrick Muyaya indicated that the signed document is unique in that it not only complies with the Washington agreement, but also contains several clear commitments to peace, the protection of civilians and national sovereignty. ‘This objective responds to the deep aspiration of the President of the Republic to restore peace in the east of our country,’ he said. ACP/