Peace Talks Resume in Qatar as Violence Persists in Eastern Congo
Peace negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have resumed in Doha, Qatar, as violence continues to escalate in the mineral-rich eastern provinces. The discussions focus on implementing a ceasefire agreement reached in July, which includes a three-phase roadmap: establishing a truce monitoring mechanism, exchanging prisoners and detainees, and restoring state authority in North and South Kivu, reports 24brussels.
Despite concurrent diplomatic engagements in Washington, where the U.S. facilitated a separate agreement between Kinshasa and Kigali, fighting remains relentless. According to the United Nations, over 7 million people have been displaced, branding the situation as “one of the most protracted, complex, and serious humanitarian emergencies on Earth.”
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari confirmed that both delegations are still present in Doha, striving to salvage the agreement. Deadlines for initiating talks on August 8 and finalizing the accord by August 18 have lapsed without resolution. President Félix Tshisekedi has voiced dissatisfaction with the draft document, while both Kinshasa and the M23 have exchanged accusations of ceasefire violations.
The M23, identified as the most formidable armed group in the region, launched a significant offensive earlier this year, capturing Goma and subsequently Bukavu. Human Rights Watch recently accused the group of carrying out ethnically targeted mass killings, while UN experts have indicated that Rwanda’s military support is “critical” to M23’s operations.
The mineral aspect of the conflict adds another layer of complexity. The agreement brokered in Washington reportedly grants U.S. companies access to essential resources in eastern Congo, while Rwanda’s support of the M23 reflects deeper regional power struggles. The rebel group has rejected the Kinshasa-Kigali deal, insisting on direct negotiations to resolve outstanding political grievances.
Qatar’s proposed framework includes international oversight in coordination with UN peacekeepers (MONUSCO) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to facilitate the “voluntary and dignified” return of displaced persons. However, the lack of tangible progress and ongoing hostilities have resulted in civilians remaining ensnared in a cycle of displacement, violence, and uncertainty.
