Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels have signed a declaration to cease hostilities in eastern Congo. The deal, facilitated by Qatar, aims at addressing deep-rooted conflict causes but faces disagreement over key terms.

Congo and the M23 militia have committed to "building trust" through various measures, including an exchange of prisoners and detainees as well as restoring state authority in all parts of the country, including rebel-held areas, Qatari minister of state Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi said.

Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group pledged to sign a peace agreement by August 18, at a ceremony in Doha on Saturday, a sign of progress even as outstanding details need to be negotiated.

An agreement signed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) has been hailed by the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MONUSCO) as “an important step toward sustainable peace.

Congo and the M23 rebel group on Saturday pledged to sign a peace agreement by Aug. 18, a sign of progress even as outstanding details need to be negotiated. Representatives for both sides were at a ceremony in Doha following months of Qatari mediation.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, located in Central Africa, has endured decades of conflict and instability despite being one of the world’s richest countries in natural resources. With 87 million people and vast reserves of coltan,

Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel,