CONGO and the Rwandan-backed militia group M23 on Saturday signed a framework agreement for a peace deal, the latest step in the so far unsuccessful efforts to end the decades-long conflict in eastern Congo.

Earlier this year, the M23 seized Goma and Bukavu, two key cities in eastern Congo, in a major escalation of the conflict.

Backed by neighbouring Rwanda, M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed militia fighting for control in Congo’s mineral-rich east.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied any involvement in the conflict.

With seven million people displaced, the conflict in Congo has been described by the United Nations as “one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth.”

The agreement signed in Doha on Saturday, following mediation by Qatar and the United States, is not yet a final peace agreement, but rather a framework outlining the measures required to reach one, the head of the M23 delegation, Benjamin Mbonimpa, said on X.

“There will be neither any change in the situation on the ground, nor any activity whatsoever, until the measures are debated, negotiated and discussed one by one and a final peace agreement is reached,” Mr Mbonimpa said.

The Congolese government said the framework agreement signed on Saturday includes eight measures that serve as a basis for a peace deal.

Two of the measures — agreements on the release of prisoners and the creation of a ceasefire oversight body — were already signed in September and October.

The six other measures, which in part include the restoration of state authority in rebel-controlled areas, humanitarian access, and the resettlement of refugees, will be subject to discussion and negotiation in the next two weeks, the Congolese government said.

In July, Congo and M23 signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end the conflict and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement but both sides ended up blaming each other for breaching the deal.