Rwanda and DRC Presidents meet in Qatar for ceasefire talks post Angola negotiations failure. They express commitment to an immediate ceasefire and emphasize the need for direct dialogue to resolve conflict roots. M23 withdrawal from talks raises ongoing tensions, exacerbated by international sanctions and historical grievances.
The presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have convened in Qatar for unexpected ceasefire discussions, 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, where they reiterated their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as previously agreed upon at an African summit last month.
During the meeting, the leaders emphasized the necessity for direct political dialogue among all parties to tackle the root causes of the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC. A statement from Rwanda affirmed that President Kagame believed cooperative efforts could expedite progress towards peace. Furthermore, the meeting’s confidentiality was upheld until President Tshisekedi returned to Kinshasa, when the DRC’s presidency confirmed the agreement of a ceasefire.
The DRC had anticipated peace talks earlier that day, but they were abruptly canceled after the M23 armed group withdrew. The M23 accused international entities of undermining peace efforts, notably referencing recent European Union sanctions. These measures were criticized for hindering direct dialogue, as M23 officials stated that under current conditions, meaningful discussions were no longer feasible.
Since January, the M23’s offensive has resulted in the capture of critical cities, including Goma and Bukavu, and has reportedly resulted in over 7,000 fatalities, although independent verification of this figure remains unavailable. Reports from United Nations experts have indicated that Rwanda has substantial influence over the M23 and maintains approximately 4,000 troops to support it for extracting valuable resources in the region, an assertion Kigali denies. Rwanda claims to confront threats from the FDLR, a militia established by Hutu leaders from the 1994 Rwandan genocide against Tutsis.
In conclusion, the surprise ceasefire talks between the Rwandan and DRC presidents in Qatar signify a critical step towards resolving ongoing conflicts in the region. Both nations have committed to an unconditional ceasefire and acknowledged the importance of dialogue to address foundational issues. However, underlying tensions remain, particularly due to recent M23 actions and international sanctions, coupled with the historical complexities surrounding their conflicts.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
