Rwanda and DRC leaders met unexpectedly in Qatar, reaffirming support for an immediate ceasefire after failed talks in Angola. The leaders stressed the necessity of direct dialogue to resolve the conflict’s root causes, despite recent setbacks involving the M23 armed group and imposed international sanctions. A ceasefire agreement was confirmed, with implementation details forthcoming.
The presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) convened for unexpected ceasefire discussions in Qatar, following unsuccessful peace negotiations in Angola. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where they reaffirmed the commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire aligned with the previous agreement from an African summit.
The meeting aimed to bolster confidence in achieving a secure and stable future for the DRC and its surrounding region. The leaders emphasized the importance of direct political dialogue among all interested parties to resolve the underlying issues causing conflict in Eastern DRC. Kagame expressed optimism that collaborative efforts could expedite progress toward peace.
The DRC confirmed the meeting’s occurrence, initially keeping the details confidential until Tshisekedi returned to Kinshasa. Subsequently, the Congolese presidency announced via spokesperson Tina Salama that a ceasefire agreement had been reached, stating that implementation details would be clarified in the ensuing days.
Prior to these discussions, Angola’s peace talks were abruptly canceled when the M23 group withdrew. The M23 accused international institutions of hindering peace processes through sanctions, thus complicating direct negotiations. They criticized the Congolese administration’s aggressive stance, asserting that such circumstances rendered any dialogue impossible.
Since January, the M23 armed group, which claims to defend Congolese Tutsi interests, has captured significant cities, resulting in over 7,000 fatalities, as reported by the DRC. A United Nations report alleges that Rwanda provides substantial military backing to the M23 to exploit the region’s mineral wealth. Although Rwanda dismisses such allegations, it cites ongoing threats from the FDLR group, comprising ethnic Hutu leaders instigating conflict since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The surprise ceasefire talks between Rwanda and DRC presidents in Qatar signify a pivotal development following the collapse of peace discussions in Angola. The leaders’ commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire highlights a concerted effort to restore stability in the region. However, the ongoing conflict, influenced by external sanctions and internal tensions, continues to pose significant challenges to achieving lasting peace in Eastern DRC.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
