Felix Tshisekedi of Congo had long said his country would not negotiate with the Rwanda-backed militia, making the joint agreement a rare bright spot in the conflict.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have agreed to halt fighting in the east of the country until peace talks mediated by Qatar reach their "conclusion". It is the latest truce deal since the rebels stepped up an offensive in eastern DR Congo where authorities say 7,

Dar es Salaam. The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the rebel group known as the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) have agreed to a pathway toward a truce in a potential turning point for one of Africa’s most enduring and complex conflicts.