Felix Tshisekedi of Congo had long said his country would not negotiate with the Rwanda-backed militia, making the joint agreement a rare bright spot in the conflict.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have agreed to halt fighting in the east of the country until peace talks mediated by Qatar reach their "conclusion". It is the latest truce deal since the rebels stepped up an offensive in eastern DR Congo where authorities say 7,

Peace talks between Congo's government and M23 rebels in Qatar ended without progress, with no plans to return. While M23 demands prisoner releases, Congo's government refuses. Tensions rise as fighting resumes in Walikale,