Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have called for an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire in eastern Congo following their first meeting since M23 rebels escalated their offensive in January. The high-level talks, mediated by Qatar’s Emir in Doha, aimed to de-escalate the worst conflict in eastern Congo in decades.
Despite the ceasefire call, it remains uncertain whether M23 rebels will comply, as they currently control more territory than ever before, including the region's two largest cities. Congo has long accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels with weapons and troops, an allegation Kigali denies, asserting that its forces act in self-defense against hostile militias.
Efforts to broker peace have been ongoing, with regional leaders pushing for negotiations. However, a separate attempt in Angola to bring Congo’s government and M23 leaders to the table collapsed when the rebel group withdrew at the last minute.
In the Doha meeting, both Tshisekedi and Kagame emphasized the need for continued dialogue to build a lasting peace, according to a joint statement. A diplomat familiar with the discussions described them as informal and not intended to replace existing mediation efforts.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo stems from historical tensions dating back to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition over the region’s vast mineral wealth. The fighting has intensified since January, causing thousands of deaths and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Qatar, known for its diplomatic mediation in global conflicts, played a crucial role in facilitating the discussions. The Gulf nation recently attempted to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, although that truce collapsed earlier on Tuesday.
Congolese analyst Bob Kabamba of the University of Liège in Belgium noted that Qatar’s strong ties with Rwanda likely influenced Kagame’s participation in the talks, while Tshisekedi faces increasing pressure to find a resolution as the situation on the ground worsens.