The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 movement signed a new peace framework on Saturday in Doha, marking a step toward ending the conflict that has devastated eastern Congo.

Qatar, alongside the United States and the African Union, facilitated months of ongoing talks aimed at resolving the fighting in eastern DRC, a mineral-rich region where M23 rebels control key towns.

The agreement, named the “Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 Movement,” was signed in the Qatari capital during a ceremony attended by officials from both sides, as well as representatives from the United States and Qatar.