Doha: In a crucial diplomatic effort, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have jointly called for an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire in eastern Congo. The appeal came during their meeting in Doha, Qatar, marking their first direct talks since the M23 rebels escalated their offensive in January.
The discussions, mediated by Qatar’s Emir, resulted in a joint statement emphasizing the need for peace. However, uncertainty remains over whether the ceasefire appeal will influence the M23 insurgents, who now hold more territory in eastern Congo than ever before, including the region’s two largest cities.
Tensions between the two nations have intensified, with Congo accusing Rwanda of supplying arms and troops to the rebels—a claim Kigali denies. Rwanda, in turn, asserts that its forces are acting in self-defense against perceived threats from the Congolese army and allied militias.
Efforts to mediate the crisis have been ongoing, but a key peace meeting in Angola scheduled for Tuesday collapsed after M23 leaders withdrew at the last moment. Despite this setback, Tshisekedi and Kagame expressed their commitment to further dialogue, aiming to establish "solid foundations for lasting peace," according to the statement issued after their meeting.
A diplomatic source familiar with the talks described them as informal, emphasizing that they were not intended to replace existing peace efforts.
The conflict in eastern Congo stems from long-standing regional tensions, dating back to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and disputes over the region’s rich mineral resources. The violence has surged since January, with thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced.
Qatar, known for its mediation role in international conflicts, facilitated the meeting. Analysts suggest that Rwanda’s close ties with Qatar made it difficult for Kagame to refuse the invitation, while Tshisekedi, facing mounting pressure due to the deteriorating security situation, was also compelled to engage.
"The worsening situation on the ground is putting Tshisekedi in a difficult position. He needs to find a way out," said Congolese analyst Bob Kabamba from the University of Liège in Belgium.
