Doha, Qatar –In a landmark diplomatic effort, Qatar has brought together the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda for high-level talks aimed at de-escalating tensions in Eastern Congo.
The trilateral meeting, hosted by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, was attended by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The gathering underscores Qatar’s growing role as a mediator in African conflicts.
The discussions built on progress made in previous peace initiatives, including the Luanda and Nairobi processes and the recent EAC-SADC summit in Dar es Salaam.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” a key resolution from the Tanzanian summit.
In a joint statement, the three heads of state emphasized their intention to merge the Luanda and Nairobi frameworks into a unified peace process for greater effectiveness. They also agreed to continue dialogue, with Qatar offering to facilitate further negotiations.
Both President Kagame and President Tshisekedi expressed appreciation for Qatar’s efforts, thanking Emir Al Thani for hosting the talks. They recognized the meeting as a confidence-building step toward a stable and secure future for Eastern Congo.
The international community is closely watching the developments, hoping the commitments made in Doha will translate into tangible actions, bringing much-needed peace to a region that has suffered from decades of conflict.