The terms of a potential ceasefire in eastern Congo remain unclear after talks between Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame in Doha, mediated by Qatar. Fighting has escalated due to the M23 group’s recent offensives. Although a commitment to ceasefire was expressed, past negotiations have often collapsed, and over 7,000 fatalities have been reported amid ongoing turmoil.
On Wednesday, the terms of a possible ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remained ambiguous following surprise talks between President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha. The DRC has seen escalated fighting, particularly with the Rwanda-backed M23 group capturing two provincial capitals in a short span of time. Meanwhile, peace talks that were scheduled to occur in Angola did not take place.
Unexpectedly, Qatar mediated a meeting between the two leaders, who previously faced failed negotiations. A joint statement indicated their support for an immediate ceasefire, reaffirming commitments made at an African summit last month. The discussions were characterized as beneficial for fostering confidence towards a stable future in the DRC and the surrounding region.
Qatar emphasized the necessity of continuing negotiations to ensure the establishment of a lasting peace, echoing its recent mediation efforts in various global conflicts. The Congolese presidency indicated that specifics regarding the ceasefire would be clarified shortly. Despite initial reluctance from Kinshasa regarding Qatari mediation due to concerns over Qatar’s ties to Rwanda, diplomatic relations appear to be evolving.
Insights suggest that Qatar has already made substantial investments in both Kinshasa and Kigali. In Rwanda, it is financing the construction of an airport hub amounting to over one billion dollars. Further discussions regarding the ceasefire will be guided by a roadmap that emerged from a ministerial meeting in Harare earlier this week, which aims for a declared permanent ceasefire within four months with the support of UN peacekeepers.
Historically, all diplomatic efforts to quell the conflict in the eastern DRC have failed, with multiple ceasefires being established and subsequently violated. Past attempts at dialogue have often broken down, such as the aborted summit in mid-December. Currently, the M23’s offensive since January has resulted in over 7,000 fatalities, though independent verification of this figure remains unconfirmed. Reports suggest that Kigali exerts control over the M23, with accusations of resource looting levied against it by Kinshasa, which Rwanda denies, citing a threat from the FDLR group.
In conclusion, the situation regarding a ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains complex and unresolved following the recent summit between President Tshisekedi and President Kagame in Doha. Ongoing diplomatic discussions mediated by Qatar seek to clarify terms and establish a more stable peace strategy in the region. The historical context of failed negotiations and the current military dynamics with the M23 continue to pose significant challenges for achieving a sustainable resolution.
Original Source: thesun.my
