Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have called for an immediate ceasefire in ongoing conflicts with M23 rebels after a meeting in Qatar. This appeal follows the escalating violence which has resulted in 7,000 deaths since January. There remains doubt regarding M23’s compliance with the ceasefire amidst ongoing accusations of support from Rwanda.
In a significant diplomatic move, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) President Félix Tshisekedi and the Rwandan President Paul Kagame have jointly advocated for an “immediate ceasefire” amid ongoing hostilities involving M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo. This meeting in Qatar marks their first direct discussions since the escalation of violence initiated by the M23, which has resulted in approximately 7,000 fatalities since January.
Despite the ceasefire appeal, uncertainty remains over whether the M23 will comply, especially after they declined to participate in peace discussions held in Angola recently. Accusations have intensified, with DR Congo asserting that Rwanda has been supplying arms and troops to the M23, claims that Rwanda disputes, despite corroborative reports from the UN and US.
Rwanda has defended its military engagement as a defensive measure against the DR Congo army and its allied militias. Additionally, Rwanda faces accusations of unlawfully exploiting mineral resources from eastern DR Congo, which it has also denied. In the past, diplomatic efforts, including a failed peace initiative mediated by Angola last December, saw the M23 swiftly gain control of two critical cities, Goma and Bukavu.
A joint statement issued by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the leaders’ commitment to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, while clarifying that the details of implementation remain ambiguous. The statement further indicated a shared intent to continue dialogue initiated in Doha to pave the way for enduring peace in the region.
President Kagame emphasized the necessity for direct engagement between DR Congo and the M23 to tackle the conflict’s underlying issues, expressing optimism that cooperative measures could expedite progress. DR Congo’s spokesperson Tina Salama noted that the talks were convened through the initiative of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, which underscores Qatar’s role as a strategic partner for both nations. This diplomatic effort follows a prior unsuccessful attempt to unite the parties for peace negotiations, further complicating the path forward for resolution.
In conclusion, the call for a ceasefire by Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame, facilitated by discussions in Qatar, represents a critical step towards peace in the volatile eastern DR Congo region. However, the future remains uncertain due to the complexities surrounding the M23 rebels and continued allegations of external interference. It is imperative for all stakeholders to engage constructively to pave the way for sustainable peace and stability.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
