The expected historic breakthrough talks between the DRC government and M23 rebels fell apart at the last minute. M23 pulled out despite having already sent people to Luanda. The DRC government had also sent officials there, hoping for peace discussions. Something clearly went wrong with the planned meeting.
M23 officially stated they avoided the talks because they felt unhappy about two main issues. They mentioned not having security guarantees, though they never explained what that meant exactly. They also disliked recent European Union sanctions against their leader and several Rwandan military officials. The rebel group believes these sanctions hurt any chance for peace agreements.
Rwanda and M23 think the DRC government pushed Belgium to support these sanctions. Belgium plays an important role in the EU. M23 released a statement saying the sanctions "seriously compromise direct dialogue and prevent any advance." The EU Official Journal published Monday that nine individuals, including Rwandan Defence Forces commanders, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa, and the North Kivhu governor, faced sanctions for violence in DRC.
The timing of EU sanctions seems problematic, but M23's reaction supports claims about its connection with Rwanda - something Rwanda keeps denying. The DRC government maintains interest in peace talks despite being snubbed by M23. DRC belongs to both the East African Community and Southern Africa Development Community regional groups. These organizations held joint meetings at leadership levels and recommended continuing the Luanda Process led by Angolan President Joao Lourenco.
After checking the situation and reviewing reports from military leaders, SADC decided last week to remove its peacekeeping forces from DRC called SAMIDRC. Many worried this troop withdrawal might create security problems and increase fighting. Surprisingly, this hasn't happened because both M23 and the DRC government appear interested in peaceful solutions. Both regional organizations fully support the Luanda Peace Process and want to keep pushing all parties toward talks.
Qatar unexpectedly entered the picture when President Felix Tshisekedi of DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda visited Doha Tuesday at the invitation of Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. These leaders reportedly had direct informal discussions where they promised immediate ceasefire agreements. This marked their first face-to-face meeting since the eastern DRC conflict grew worse after M23 rebels took control of two major cities back in January.
A joint statement with Qatar described the ceasefire as "immediate and unconditional." Nobody clarified whether this agreement affects M23 rebels, who currently control more territory than ever before in eastern Congo, including the region's biggest cities—Bukavu and Goma. Diplomatic sources report that during the Qatar meeting, Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame "agreed on the need to continue the discussions initiated in Doha to establish a solid foundation for lasting peace."
These direct talks won't replace current efforts by SADC or EAC. Qatar has helped mediate several conflicts before, recently working with Egypt and the United States to negotiate between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Qatar maintains close ties with Rwanda, which might explain why President Kagame agreed to these direct discussions. Qatar tried arranging a meeting between these presidents back in January 2023, but that attempt failed at the last minute.
Pressure seems to increase on both sides to find permanent solutions. Sanctions and international pressure affected President Kagame, especially after EU sanctions targeted his military commanders. President Tshisekedi wants direct talks with M23 - an idea he previously rejected. M23 controls large areas of territory, changing the power balance between parties. Many regional experts believe lasting peace may happen soon in DRC despite setbacks in Angola's efforts to bring everyone to the table.
Recent statements from both Rwanda and DRC suggest peace might arrive soon. A statement from Rwanda Tuesday said both leaders called for urgent "direct political dialogue" with all parties to address "the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC." President Kagame expressed the belief that cooperation among all parties could speed up progress. DRC government spokesperson Tina Salama expressed confidence that the meeting between leaders would create lasting peace.
Salama posted on her X account Tuesday about an immediate ceasefire decision between DRC and Rwanda during the presidents' meeting in Doha arranged by Qatar's Emir, who she called "a strategic ally of the two countries." She mentioned implementation details would be developed soon. Both SADC and EAC want diplomatic solutions but remain unclear about the next steps after M23 rejected the Luanda Process. Like everyone else, they probably hope Qatar's involvement helps find lasting answers for the troubled DRC.
M23 officially stated they avoided the talks because they felt unhappy about two main issues. They mentioned not having security guarantees, though they never explained what that meant exactly. They also disliked recent European Union sanctions against their leader and several Rwandan military officials. The rebel group believes these sanctions hurt any chance for peace agreements.
Rwanda and M23 think the DRC government pushed Belgium to support these sanctions. Belgium plays an important role in the EU. M23 released a statement saying the sanctions "seriously compromise direct dialogue and prevent any advance." The EU Official Journal published Monday that nine individuals, including Rwandan Defence Forces commanders, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa, and the North Kivhu governor, faced sanctions for violence in DRC.
The timing of EU sanctions seems problematic, but M23's reaction supports claims about its connection with Rwanda - something Rwanda keeps denying. The DRC government maintains interest in peace talks despite being snubbed by M23. DRC belongs to both the East African Community and Southern Africa Development Community regional groups. These organizations held joint meetings at leadership levels and recommended continuing the Luanda Process led by Angolan President Joao Lourenco.
After checking the situation and reviewing reports from military leaders, SADC decided last week to remove its peacekeeping forces from DRC called SAMIDRC. Many worried this troop withdrawal might create security problems and increase fighting. Surprisingly, this hasn't happened because both M23 and the DRC government appear interested in peaceful solutions. Both regional organizations fully support the Luanda Peace Process and want to keep pushing all parties toward talks.
Qatar unexpectedly entered the picture when President Felix Tshisekedi of DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda visited Doha Tuesday at the invitation of Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. These leaders reportedly had direct informal discussions where they promised immediate ceasefire agreements. This marked their first face-to-face meeting since the eastern DRC conflict grew worse after M23 rebels took control of two major cities back in January.
A joint statement with Qatar described the ceasefire as "immediate and unconditional." Nobody clarified whether this agreement affects M23 rebels, who currently control more territory than ever before in eastern Congo, including the region's biggest cities—Bukavu and Goma. Diplomatic sources report that during the Qatar meeting, Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame "agreed on the need to continue the discussions initiated in Doha to establish a solid foundation for lasting peace."
These direct talks won't replace current efforts by SADC or EAC. Qatar has helped mediate several conflicts before, recently working with Egypt and the United States to negotiate between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Qatar maintains close ties with Rwanda, which might explain why President Kagame agreed to these direct discussions. Qatar tried arranging a meeting between these presidents back in January 2023, but that attempt failed at the last minute.
Pressure seems to increase on both sides to find permanent solutions. Sanctions and international pressure affected President Kagame, especially after EU sanctions targeted his military commanders. President Tshisekedi wants direct talks with M23 - an idea he previously rejected. M23 controls large areas of territory, changing the power balance between parties. Many regional experts believe lasting peace may happen soon in DRC despite setbacks in Angola's efforts to bring everyone to the table.
Recent statements from both Rwanda and DRC suggest peace might arrive soon. A statement from Rwanda Tuesday said both leaders called for urgent "direct political dialogue" with all parties to address "the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC." President Kagame expressed the belief that cooperation among all parties could speed up progress. DRC government spokesperson Tina Salama expressed confidence that the meeting between leaders would create lasting peace.
Salama posted on her X account Tuesday about an immediate ceasefire decision between DRC and Rwanda during the presidents' meeting in Doha arranged by Qatar's Emir, who she called "a strategic ally of the two countries." She mentioned implementation details would be developed soon. Both SADC and EAC want diplomatic solutions but remain unclear about the next steps after M23 rejected the Luanda Process. Like everyone else, they probably hope Qatar's involvement helps find lasting answers for the troubled DRC.
