The African Union has welcomed the Doha talks between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame amid ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC. They called for an immediate ceasefire and sought to maintain momentum in dialogue. The talks follow increased tensions involving M23 rebels in the region, exacerbating humanitarian issues.
The African Union (AU) has expressed its support for negotiations that took place in Doha between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. This meeting comes amid ongoing conflict in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). AU Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf commended both leaders for their commitment to dialogue and urged for continued momentum in these discussions.
During their discussions, Tshisekedi and Kagame called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire aimed at reducing hostilities in the region, with implementation details expected to emerge shortly. This dialogue represents the first direct talks between the leaders since the M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, captured major cities in eastern DRC earlier this year.
The meeting in Qatar comes after the M23 group withdrew from a scheduled meeting with DRC officials in Angola, following European Union sanctions against several key members of the group, including its leader Bertrand Bisimwa. Additionally, three Rwandan military commanders and a chief of the Rwandan mining agency also faced sanctions due to their alleged support for M23.
M23 is one of over 200 armed groups competing for control in eastern DRC, an area rich in valuable minerals like cobalt. The Congolese government, along with the United States and UN experts, has accused Rwanda of backing M23, a claim that the Rwandan government has denied. The group has been actively engaged in military operations in the DRC since 2022, intensifying its activities this year with significant territorial captures.
Currently, the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC has resulted in one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, affecting nearly 7 million individuals, including at least 3.5 million children, as reported by the United Nations.
The recent talks in Doha between the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC represent a significant step towards mitigating the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, amid rising tensions and accusations of foreign involvement. The call for a ceasefire reflects a willingness for dialogue, which is crucial as humanitarian crises worsen in the region. The AU’s support emphasizes the need for African-led initiatives in addressing these challenges.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
