Congo's government and M23 rebels met secretly in Qatar to discuss peace. These were the first private talks since the rebels took over eastern Congo's biggest cities, and they gave hope for stopping the fighting.
The conflict has caused thousands of deaths and forced many people to leave their homes. Neighboring countries like Uganda and Burundi are worried about the fighting spreading into a bigger war. The discussions happened privately and were seen as positive by people who knew about the situation.
The rebels left Walikale as a sign of goodwill. Walikale is an area with many valuable minerals, like tin. The United Nations and Western governments believe that Rwanda has been supporting the ethnic Tutsi-led M23 rebels with weapons and soldiers.
Rwanda says it has not helped M23 and claims it only acted to defend itself against Congo's army and a militia connected to the 1994 genocide. The talks are expected to continue, with both sides hoping to find a peaceful solution to the long-running conflict.
The conflict has caused thousands of deaths and forced many people to leave their homes. Neighboring countries like Uganda and Burundi are worried about the fighting spreading into a bigger war. The discussions happened privately and were seen as positive by people who knew about the situation.
The rebels left Walikale as a sign of goodwill. Walikale is an area with many valuable minerals, like tin. The United Nations and Western governments believe that Rwanda has been supporting the ethnic Tutsi-led M23 rebels with weapons and soldiers.
Rwanda says it has not helped M23 and claims it only acted to defend itself against Congo's army and a militia connected to the 1994 genocide. The talks are expected to continue, with both sides hoping to find a peaceful solution to the long-running conflict.
