The agreement marks the first direct commitment from both sides since rebels seized key cities in eastern Congo.

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decades-long fighting in eastern Congo that commits them to a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement to be signed in one month.

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.