Authorities have reported that 38 fighters from the M23 rebel group have surrendered to the Congolese army in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Military officials said the defectors—many of them kidnapped civilians, police officers, and soldiers—laid down their arms in North and South Kivu provinces as well as Kalehe. Their surrender follows renewed peace efforts between the DRC and M23, including an agreement in Doha to create an oversight body for a permanent ceasefire. The Qatar-mediated deal builds on earlier commitments to restore state authority in the mineral-rich east. These surrenders offer a tangible glimmer of hope for a population weary from one of the world’s most complex and protracted emergencies, suggesting that a path toward lasting peace may be gaining traction.
Africa News
