The African Union has welcomed talks between the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC in Doha amid ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. AU Chairperson commended the commitment to dialogue, urging continued cooperation amidst rising violence from rebel groups. The discussions included calls for an unconditional ceasefire, reflecting the need for immediate conflict resolution.
The African Union (AU) has expressed its support for recent discussions held between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha, Qatar. This meeting is particularly significant as conflicts continue in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). AU Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf praised the leaders for their commitment to dialogue and urged all involved parties to maintain this momentum.
In a constructive environment, Tshisekedi and Kagame’s discussions are aligned with the AU’s goal of promoting African-led solutions to regional challenges. The talks occurred against a backdrop of escalating violence, particularly from the M23 rebel group, which has taken control of strategic cities in eastern DRC this year. The leaders issued a joint statement calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and will clarify its implementation in the near future.
The Doha talks followed M23’s withdrawal from a scheduled meeting with DRC officials in Angola after the European Union imposed sanctions on M23’s senior members and some Rwandan military leaders. Rwanda’s support for M23 has been a point of contention, although Kigali disputes these allegations. M23’s resurgence, which began in 2022, has led to significant territorial gains, including the capture of Goma and Bukavu, exacerbating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises affecting nearly 7 million people, including 3.5 million children.
In conclusion, the recent talks between the heads of state from Rwanda and the DRC in Doha highlight the ongoing commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue. The AU’s endorsement of these discussions demonstrates its support for peaceful negotiation as a remedy to the violence in eastern DRC, underscoring the urgency for a ceasefire and a collaborative approach to local and regional stability.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
