DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame have called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict involving M23 rebels following talks in Qatar. This meeting is significant, marking their first dialogue since the M23’s intensified offensive, which resulted in about 7,000 fatalities since January. There are doubts regarding M23’s compliance, compounded by mutual accusations of military support and exploitation of resources.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Rwanda have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire regarding the ongoing conflict involving M23 rebels, following direct discussions held in Qatar between President Félix Tshisekedi of DR Congo and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. This meeting marks the first time the two leaders have convened since the resurgence of M23 offensives, which have reportedly led to approximately 7,000 deaths since January.
The prospects of the M23 complying with the ceasefire request are uncertain, particularly as the group declined to attend recent peace negotiations in Angola. The DR Congo government alleges that Rwanda is supplying arms and troops to the M23, claims that Rwanda vehemently denies despite assertions from both the United Nations and the United States. Furthermore, Rwanda contends that its military actions are a form of self-defence against attacks by the DR Congo army and affiliated militias.
Disputes persist regarding the illegal exploitation of DR Congo’s mineral resources by Rwanda, an accusation that Rwanda also refutes. Previously, peace talks brokered by Angola failed in December as Rwanda insisted on direct negotiations between the DR Congo government and M23, which subsequently seized control of Goma and Bukavu.
On Tuesday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry released a joint statement indicating that Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame reaffirmed their commitment to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, though details on enforcement remain vague. The leaders expressed the importance of ongoing dialogues initiated in Doha to foster a foundation for enduring peace. As stated by Kagame, a collaborative approach among all parties could expedite progress towards resolution.
DR Congo’s presidential spokeswoman, Tina Salama, acknowledged on the social media platform X that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, facilitated these discussions, emphasizing Qatar’s role as a strategic ally. This gathering occurred amidst another failed initiative to unite the DR Congo government and M23 rebels, with the latter withdrawing from talks after the European Union imposed sanctions on their leadership.
In conclusion, the call for an immediate ceasefire by the leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda highlights a pivotal development in addressing the escalating conflict with M23 rebels. While the potential for compliance by the M23 remains uncertain, the commitment to ongoing dialogues, facilitated by Qatar, indicates a willingness to explore peaceful resolutions. Nonetheless, substantial challenges persist as accusations of military support and resource exploitation continue to fuel tensions between the involved parties.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
