Congo and rebel group M23 promised to stop fighting and start peace talks after meetings in Qatar. The groups released statements from Kinshasa and Goma saying they want to end the war that has forced over 1.5 million people from their homes. This marks a major change as Congo President Félix Tshisekedi met with Rwanda President Paul Kagame for the first time since fighting resumed in 2021. Tshisekedi had always refused to talk with M23 before this meeting. He often called them terrorists who worked with Rwanda to cause trouble in eastern Congo.
The peace push comes right after former President Joseph Kabila returned to eastern Congo. Kabila started meeting with local leaders there earlier this month. Many experts think his return made Tshisekedi worry about losing control in parts of the country where Kabila remains popular. Both sides signed papers promising to stop attacks and stop saying hateful things about each other. They asked local communities to support their efforts toward making peace last.
The groups agreed to talk about what really causes the fighting in eastern Congo, where M23 has taken large areas since 2022. People remain doubtful because many past ceasefires failed quickly after being signed. Other peace deals through Luanda and Nairobi fell apart soon after they started. Both sides thanked Qatar for helping with the peace talks. They asked all Congolese people, religious leaders, and news groups to spread hope about the new peace effort.
The peace push comes right after former President Joseph Kabila returned to eastern Congo. Kabila started meeting with local leaders there earlier this month. Many experts think his return made Tshisekedi worry about losing control in parts of the country where Kabila remains popular. Both sides signed papers promising to stop attacks and stop saying hateful things about each other. They asked local communities to support their efforts toward making peace last.
The groups agreed to talk about what really causes the fighting in eastern Congo, where M23 has taken large areas since 2022. People remain doubtful because many past ceasefires failed quickly after being signed. Other peace deals through Luanda and Nairobi fell apart soon after they started. Both sides thanked Qatar for helping with the peace talks. They asked all Congolese people, religious leaders, and news groups to spread hope about the new peace effort.
