'For Congolese people and Great Lakes region, the peace dynamic is recreating hope and confidence,' says French president EU praises deal as 'important step towards lasting peace agreement'
French President Emmanuel Macron and the European Union on Saturday welcomed a new agreement of principles between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rebel group M23, crediting Qatar's mediation for the breakthrough.
"I welcome the agreement of principles between the DRC and the M23/AFC, thanks to the mediation of Qatar and its Emir," Macron said on X.
Praising the development as a positive signal for regional peace efforts, he said: "For the Congolese people and the Great Lakes region, the peace dynamic is recreating hope and confidence."
Macron also reaffirmed France's commitment to supporting peace in the region.
The EU, for its part, hailed the agreement as "an important step towards a lasting peace agreement."
"The EU urges the parties to implement the agreed principles in good faith, with the involvement of relevant regional actors," EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said on X.
The remarks followed the signing of the declaration on Saturday between representatives of both sides in Doha, following weeks of diplomatic engagement, including earlier talks held in Washington.
Congo and the M23 rebels, said to be backed by Rwanda, were engaged in heavy fighting, triggered by M23's January capture of Congo's two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu.
The Congolese fighting has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands.
The agreement comes after a separate Congolese-Rwandan peace deal signed last month in Washington.
