Rwanda and DR Congo presidents Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi held surprise ceasefire talks in Qatar, affirming their commitment to an immediate ceasefire after failed peace talks in Angola. The discussions highlighted the need for political dialogue to resolve the root issues of conflict in Eastern DRC, amidst ongoing tensions and sanctions from the international community.
The leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) convened unexpectedly in Qatar to discuss a ceasefire, shortly 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, as confirmed by an official statement from the involved countries. Earlier this year, the Rwanda-supported M23 armed group advanced into the eastern DRC, seizing significant cities.
In their discussions, the presidents reiterated their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as previously agreed during an African summit. The joint statement emphasized the meeting’s constructive nature in fostering a secure and stable future for the DRC and surrounding regions. The Rwandan presidency acknowledged the dialogue, highlighting the necessity of engaging all parties in political talks to resolve the underlying issues in Eastern DRC.
The Congolese presidency also recognized the meeting, indicating that it was confidential until Tshisekedi’s return to Kinshasa. Spokesperson Tina Salama shared on X that the two nations had reached an agreement for an immediate ceasefire, with further details to be developed in the upcoming days. This meeting followed the cancellation of peace talks in Angola, attributed to the M23’s withdrawal just prior to discussions.
The M23 group expressed grievances regarding what they perceive as international efforts to hinder peace settlements, notably citing European Union sanctions imposed before the Luanda discussions. They claimed that sanctions obstructed dialogue and cited a hostile campaign from Kinshasa as a reason for their withdrawal from negotiations, stating that continued discussions under these circumstances were untenable.
Recent EU sanctions targeted Rwandan military commanders and an agency chief for their support of the M23, which purports to advocate for Congolese Tutsis. Since early 2023, the M23 has taken control of strategic cities, resulting in significant fatalities within the region, as reported by the DRC government, a figure which has not been independently verified. Allegedly, Rwanda plays a pivotal role in the M23 operations, though it contests these claims, asserting a need for self-defense against threats from groups linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The unexpected ceasefire talks between Rwandan and DRC leaders demonstrate a renewed effort to address ongoing conflicts in the region. Despite previous negotiations failing, the commitment to an unconditional ceasefire signals potential progress towards peace. Continued discussions and direct dialogue among all parties will be critical in addressing the root causes of the conflict and fostering stability in the troubled eastern DRC region.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
