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Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have called for an “immediate ceasefire” in eastern DR Congo following direct talks in Qatar.
This marks the first meeting between the two leaders since Rwanda-backed M23 rebels escalated their offensive in the region, where authorities report 7,000 people have been killed since January.
It remains unclear whether the M23 will comply with the ceasefire call, as the group refused to attend peace talks in Angola on Tuesday.
Ongoing Conflict and Accusations
DR Congo has long accused Rwanda of arming the M23 and deploying troops to support the rebels—allegations backed by both the UN and the US. Rwanda, however, denies these claims, insisting its forces are acting in self-defense against DR Congo’s army and allied militias. DR Congo also accuses Rwanda of illegally exploiting its mineral resources in the east, an accusation Rwanda rejects.
Previous Peace Talks and Rebel Advances
Efforts to broker peace have repeatedly failed. In December, talks mediated by Angola collapsed after Rwanda insisted that DR Congo engage directly with the M23. Since then, the rebels have gained ground, seizing the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu over the past two months.
On Tuesday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry released a joint statement confirming that both presidents reaffirmed their commitment to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, though details on its enforcement remain unclear.
“The heads of state agreed on the need to continue discussions initiated in Doha to lay the groundwork for lasting peace,” the statement said.
Surprising Talks and Next Steps
The meeting came as a surprise, given the often-hostile public exchanges between Tshisekedi and Kagame. While the Rwandan presidency maintained that direct negotiations between DR Congo and the M23 are key to resolving the conflict, President Kagame expressed optimism that “with all parties working together, things can move forward faster.”
DR Congo presidential spokeswoman Tina Salama credited Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for initiating the dialogue, calling Qatar a “strategic ally” to both nations.
A statement from the Congolese presidency described the meeting as a first step toward lasting peace, suggesting further talks may follow.
The renewed diplomatic efforts come as a previous attempt to bring DR Congo and M23 rebels to the table fell apart this week, after the rebels withdrew following European Union sanctions on their leadership.
