The presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo pledged to ease tensions during a surprise meeting in Qatar, following sanctions imposed by the EU on Rwandan officials. They emphasized the need for a ceasefire and direct dialogue with M23, the rebel group in eastern Congo, which has fueled a humanitarian crisis.
The presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda recently convened in Qatar, where they committed to easing tensions amid ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. This meeting between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo was facilitated by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as stated in a joint announcement on social media.
This unexpected assembly follows intensified international actions, with the European Union recently sanctioning Rwandan officials and a gold refinery for infringing upon Congo’s territorial integrity. These measures came after the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group seized control of key cities in eastern Congo, leading to their withdrawal from prior crisis resolution discussions.
During their meeting, the leaders acknowledged the critical necessity for open political dialogue with M23 to address the fundamental issues of the conflict. Rwanda’s presidency conveyed this intent, suggesting that negotiations organized by regional bodies should serve as the principal means for conflict resolution. Furthermore, President Kagame highlighted the need to confront the FDLR militia and emphasized securing safety guarantees for Rwanda and the surrounding region.
The M23 rebellion has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences since the beginning of the year, with thousands of fatalities and over 700,000 individuals displaced, according to United Nations reports. The group continues to assert its influence in the mineral-rich eastern Congo, allegedly aiming to topple the Congolese government.
While Rwanda denies any support for the M23, the group claims to protect the interests of Tutsis and Rwandan language speakers in Congo. Conversely, the Congolese government accuses M23 and its Rwandan allies of pursuing mineral extraction interests. The presidents reaffirmed their dedication to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, following a commitment made at a previous summit of regional leaders. Notably, M23’s recent territorial advances coincided with the breakdown of a previously established ceasefire.
In summary, the surprise meeting in Qatar marks a pivotal moment towards alleviating tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo amidst ongoing conflict driven by the M23 rebel group. Emphasizing dialogue and negotiations, both presidents reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate ceasefire, reflecting international concerns over regional stability and humanitarian crises.
Original Source: financialpost.com
