DR. CONGO – DR Congo and M23 rebels signed the declaration of principles agreement on Saturday in Qatar that’re aimed at ending the ongoing fighting in the eastern parts of the country.

The declaration of principles was signed in Doha, the capital of Qatar, by representatives from both parties, following weeks of diplomatic engagement, including earlier talks held in Washington.

The DRC and M23 rebels – said to be backed by Rwanda – were engaged in heavy fighting, triggered by M23’s January capture of the DRC’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 in Washington last month.