Doha, Qatar – Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met in Doha on Monday for high-level talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict in eastern DRC. The meeting, hosted by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, resulted in a joint call for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire amid ongoing violence in the region.
AfricaHeadline Reports Team
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The talks come as the M23 rebel group intensifies its offensive in North Kivu, capturing strategic areas and displacing thousands of civilians. The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebel group, a claim Kigali has repeatedly denied.
The Doha meeting follows a failed attempt at peace negotiations in Luanda, Angola, where the M23 withdrew from talks, citing European Union sanctions against its leadership as an obstacle to engagement.
The absence of the rebel group from negotiations raises concerns over the feasibility of enforcing a ceasefire. Analysts warn that without M23’s involvement, fighting could continue, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation. Eastern DRC is home to more than seven million internally displaced people, making it one of the world’s largest displacement crises.
Qatar has been expanding its diplomatic influence in conflict mediation and aims to facilitate a lasting agreement between Kinshasa and Kigali. Sources indicate that additional rounds of dialogue could be scheduled in the coming weeks, potentially involving regional and international stakeholders.
Both the United Nations and the African Union are closely monitoring developments. In a recent statement, the AU called for a “coordinated effort” to prevent further escalation and restore stability to the region.
As negotiations continue, civilians in eastern DRC remain caught in the crossfire. Humanitarian organizations warn that if a resolution is not reached soon, the crisis could spiral further out of control.
