The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel group have committed to signing a peace agreement by 18 August, as announced during a ceremony held in Doha on Saturday. While this development indicates progress,

The agreement marks the first direct commitment from both sides since rebels seized key cities in eastern Congo.

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decades-long fighting in eastern Congo that commits them to a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement to be signed in one month.