In an effort to establish a ceasefire in Congo, President Félix Tshisekedi of Congo held discussions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The meeting, mediated by Qatar, took place on Tuesday (March 18) following intensified attacks by the M23 rebel group in January. British news agency Reuters reported the development.
A joint statement released after the meeting in Doha emphasized the need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. However, it did not detail how the M23 group would be neutralized. The rebels currently hold a stronger position than ever before, controlling two of the largest cities in eastern Congo.
The statement also mentioned that both leaders agreed to continue discussions to establish a foundation for long-term peace.
A diplomat familiar with the matter stated that the meeting was unofficial and was not intended as an alternative to ongoing peace efforts.
Congo and Rwanda have long accused each other over the conflict. Congo alleges that Rwanda supplies arms and troops to the rebels, plunging the country into its worst crisis in decades. Rwanda, on the other hand, denies the accusations, claiming it is only defending itself against attacks from the Congolese military.
Neighboring countries have been trying to mediate a ceasefire since the conflict began. On Tuesday, there was a planned discussion between the Congolese government and M23 leaders in Angola, but the rebels refused to participate at the last moment.
Historical Context
The roots of the conflict in Congo trace back nearly 30 years. The 1994 Rwandan genocide and the battle over Congo’s rich mineral resources have kept the region in turmoil for three decades. However, the situation worsened dramatically in January this year, with rapid escalation of armed attacks leading to thousands of killings, rapes, and mass displacement in a short period.