The presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have pledged to ease tensions after a surprise meeting in Qatar. They committed to direct political dialogue with the M23 rebels and reaffirmed an immediate ceasefire. Rwanda denies backing the M23, while Congo accuses it of exploitation.
The recent surprise meeting between the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, held in Qatar, has led to a pledge aimed at de-escalating tensions following an ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. This meeting involved President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and was intended to address the situation in eastern Congo.
In a joint statement, the three parties announced their commitment to facilitate direct political dialogue with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, which have been accused of exacerbating the instability by taking control of key urban areas in Congo. The presidents underscored that such dialogue is vital in tackling the fundamental issues fueling the conflict and agreed that regional block arrangements should serve as the principal means for conflict resolution.
Additionally, President Kagame highlighted the importance of addressing security concerns posed by the Congo-backed FDLR militia, ensuring stability for both Rwanda and the larger region. The ongoing conflict has resulted in severe humanitarian crises, with thousands of fatalities and over 700,000 individuals displaced since the M23 group’s resurgence earlier this year.
Rwanda has consistently denied its support for the M23 rebels, who assert they seek to protect the Tutsi community and their language speakers in Congo. Conversely, the Congolese administration has accused the M23 and its Rwandan allies of primarily seeking to exploit the region’s mineral wealth. Both leaders have expressed a renewed commitment to uphold an immediate and unconditional ceasefire based on agreements made in prior summits among southern and eastern African leaders.
The unexpected diplomatic engagement in Qatar has resulted in a pledge from the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to ease current tensions, focusing on direct dialogue with the M23 rebels as essential for lasting peace. This meeting marks a crucial step amid ongoing international scrutiny and a humanitarian crisis spurred by the conflict, emphasizing the pressing need for security and stability in the region. The commitment to ceasefire and dialogue suggests a hopeful avenue for resolving the conflict in eastern Congo.
Original Source: financialpost.com
