The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) affirmed that the document, signed the day before in Qatar, paves the way for lasting peace, security, and the return of displaced persons and refugees, in addition to calling for the sincere and swift implementation of the commitments made.

MONUSCO also reaffirmed its mandate to support peace, reconciliation, and stabilization efforts in the country, in cooperation with national authorities and regional and international partners.

The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Bruno Lemarquis, expressed that the declaration is part of an effort to reduce tensions and protect the civilian population severely affected by the conflict, and insisted on “the establishment of a credible and consensual verification mechanism.”

Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation issued a statement thanking Qatar for its mediation, supported by the United States, building on the efforts of the African Union and regional initiatives that made this important step possible.

The African Union welcomed the signing of the declaration, which the president of the organization’s Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, considered “a fundamental step in the efforts to establish lasting peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.”

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot endorsed the document, and so did French President Emmanuel Macron; spokesperson Anouar El Anouni, on behalf of the EU; Senior Advisor to the US President for Africa, Massad Boulos; US Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, among others.

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