Kinshasa: After a week of tense negotiations in Qatar, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group—widely believed to be backed by Rwanda—have agreed to pursue peace efforts and halt hostilities, offering a rare glimmer of hope amid a long-running conflict that has escalated since January.
Both parties issued identical statements reaffirming their commitment to an immediate cessation of violence, denouncing hate speech and intimidation, and urging communities to uphold the peace process. Although the discussions were described as "frank and constructive," no follow-up meetings have yet been scheduled.
The talks come after a major M23 offensive earlier this year that led to the capture of key cities in eastern Congo and left thousands dead. The flare-up of violence has raised alarms of a broader regional conflict, with Congo accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 through weapons and troops—claims echoed by the UN and Western governments. Rwanda has denied the accusations, stating it is acting in self-defense against Congo’s army and militias with links to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Qatar’s diplomatic efforts follow a surprise meeting it brokered last month between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, during which both leaders called for a ceasefire. That encounter reportedly paved the way for the latest round of negotiations with M23, which Kinshasa had previously refused to engage with, labeling the group as terrorists.
However, progress was slow and often marred by disputes. Delegates on both sides expressed frustration over the pace and content of the talks, particularly around proposed confidence-building steps such as releasing prisoners allegedly tied to M23 or Rwanda. A Congolese government official argued that their judiciary must remain independent and that crimes committed during the conflict could not be overlooked. Rebel representatives said these sticking points ultimately led to the early conclusion of the Doha discussions.
Despite the friction, Qatar succeeded in brokering a joint commitment to a truce. “This is a crucial step towards ending the violence,” said Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot.
Meanwhile, fighting has resumed in the Walikale region, a strategic mining area in eastern Congo. M23 had recently withdrawn from the town in what it called a gesture of goodwill, signaling its intent to support peace talks.
