Deutsche Welle

Congo and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have signed a preliminary ceasefire aimed at facilitating a peace agreement to be signed in August. The African Union called the signing a "significant development."

Representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 militia signed a provisional ceasefire in Qatar on Saturday, committing both sides to signing a permanent truce and a comprehensive peace agreement no later than August 18.

"This marks a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region," said African Union (AU) Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in a statement.

Saturday`s "agreement to principles" deal aligns with a peace deal that both sides signed in Washington on June 27.

What are the terms of the Congo-M23 ceasefire?
Congo`s mineral-rich east has seen decades of fighting with M23 emerging as the most prominent of some 100 or so armed groups operating in the region.

At the moment, it is unclear what the specific terms of the final deal will encompass and what concessions have been agreed to. M23 has pushed for the release of captured fighters, whereas Congo has demanded the withdrawal of M23 troops from territories the group has seized.

Saturday`s statement said the two sides would refrain from "hate propaganda" and "any attempt to seize by force new positions."

Though Rwanda denies backing the group, in June, Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe agreed to lift what he called "defensive measures" in east DRC once Congo disbands an armed group Rwanda says was behind the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Analysts, however, say the withdrawal of M23 rebels from the cities of Bakayu and Goma — which they recently took control of — will depend largely on what concessions the DRC is ultimately willing to make.

The deal signed in Washington was accompanied by a side agreement that President Donald Trump said would provide the US access to the DRC`s vast mineral wealth.

The UN has called the conflict in eastern DRC, which has displaced more than seven million people, "one of the most protracted, complex and serious humanitarian crises on earth."