Felix Tshisekedi of DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda met in Qatar to discuss the ongoing security crisis in eastern DRC. The talks aimed to ease tensions arising from allegations that Rwanda supports the M23 rebellion. Ultimately, both leaders agreed to an immediate ceasefire and emphasized the necessity for direct political dialogue to resolve the conflict’s underlying causes. The meeting followed unsuccessful peace talks in Angola, further complicating the situation in the region.
On Tuesday, Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, convened in Qatar to address the ongoing security crisis in eastern DRC. This significant meeting was facilitated by the emir of Qatar, following allegations from Kinshasa that Rwanda is backing the M23 rebellion, which has gained considerable territory in South and North Kivu provinces. Despite the backing of United Nations reports for these accusations, Rwanda continues to deny involvement.
Prior to this meeting, various regional organizations and mediators endeavored to foster dialogue between the two leaders, culminating in this successful engagement. Sources from RFI’s Africa service reported that the discussions commenced at 4 PM local time and lasted approximately 45 minutes, characterized by a cordial atmosphere, attributed to the emir’s mediation, who had previously attempted to organize a similar meeting earlier in January 2023, which had to be canceled.
According to Tresor Kibangula of the Ebuteli Institute for Political Analysis, increasing Western sanctions and pressure may influence President Kagame’s position, while President Tshisekedi appears to be more open to negotiating with the M23, a shift from his previous stance. This alteration is largely due to a changed balance of power, as M23 has taken control of vital cities such as Goma and Bukavu.
After their discussions, both leaders endorsed an immediate ceasefire, particularly following the unsuccessful peace negotiations in Angola. A source close to the Congolese presidency noted that the meeting remained confidential until Tshisekedi’s return to Kinshasa, reaffirming a commitment to ceasefire agreements made at an African summit the previous month. The dialogue was deemed a step towards building confidence for a secure future in the DRC and the surrounding region.
In related developments, earlier on the same day, Angola canceled scheduled peace talks after the M23 group withdrew abruptly. The withdrawal was attributed to alleged sabotage by certain international agencies, specifically pointing to new sanctions from the European Union (EU). The M23 criticized the sanctions for hindering dialogue and undermining progress in the negotiations.
The M23, which claims to advocate for the interests of Congolese Tutsis, has recently seized key urban centers, with reported fatalities exceeding 7,000 individuals since January. A UN report claims that Rwanda exercises considerable control over the M23, providing military support to facilitate access to valuable resources in the region, such as gold and coltan. While Rwanda refutes allegations of direct military assistance, it cites existing threats from the FDLR group, which comprises Hutu leaders responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as a justification for its actions.
The recent meeting between Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame represents a critical attempt to address the escalating security issues in eastern DRC. While the dialogue reflects an evolving stance towards negotiations regarding the M23, the success of future peace initiatives hinges on mutual cooperation, handling underlying tensions, and addressing the challenge posed by international sanctions and military conflicts in the region.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
