DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels have signed a declaration of principles for a permanent ceasefire in eastern Congo, where ethnic tensions and quest for rich minerals have resulted in one of Africa’s longest conflicts with thousands killed this year.

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.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group signed a ceasefire deal on Saturday to end fighting that has devastated the country’s mineral-rich east.

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels have signed a declaration in Qatar to end decades of conflict in eastern Congo.

Rwanda on Saturday welcomed the signing of a declaration of principles between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group in Doha, Qatar, aimed at ending the conflict in eastern DRC.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel militia have signed a new ceasefire agreement, bringing a halt to the massive violence that has ravaged the DRC’s mineral-rich eastern region for months.

The Congolese government continues its military offensives despite ongoing peace efforts in Doha, Qatar, the AFC/M23 rebellion informed the national and international community, on July 17, reiterating its “determination to protect civilian populations and eliminate any threat at its source.

M23 rebels take ‘instructions’ from Kigali, as Kampala ‘doubles’ army presence in DRC, says leaked report by UN experts.