African Union Supports Doha Meetings Between DRC and Rwanda Leaders

The African Union has welcomed talks held in Doha between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The meetings aimed to address ongoing violence from M23 rebels. AU Chairperson commended their commitment to dialogue and emphasized African-led solutions. The leaders called for an immediate ceasefire as they seek to alleviate the humanitarian crisis impacting millions.

The African Union (AU) has endorsed the recent discussions held in Doha between the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as fighting continues in the mineral-rich eastern DRC. This meeting, attended by President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, marked their first direct talks following conflicts sparked by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who had captured significant cities this year.

AU Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf praised both nations for their dedication to dialogue, encouraging all involved parties to continue fostering this momentum. He emphasized the importance of African-led solutions while recognizing that the Doha discussions harmonize with ongoing regional initiatives to address the conflict.

During their meeting, the leaders advocated for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” with further details regarding implementation expected to be announced shortly. This dialogue occurred after M23 representatives withdrew from a planned discussion with DRC officials in Angola, coinciding with sanctions imposed by the European Union on key M23 figures and Rwandan military leaders.

The M23 group is one among over 200 armed factions vying for dominance in eastern DRC, a region abundant in precious materials like cobalt. The Congolese government, supported by the United States and UN experts, has accused Rwanda of providing aid to M23, which Rwanda has denied.

The resurgence of M23, which had been inactive for over a decade, commenced in 2022 and dramatically escalated in 2023 with the capture of important cities, raising significant humanitarian concerns, with nearly 7 million individuals affected, including approximately 3.5 million children, according to UN estimates.

The AU’s endorsement of the Doha discussions highlights the necessity of dialogue in addressing the ongoing conflict between Rwanda and the DRC. The meeting’s call for a ceasefire represents a hopeful step towards peace, yet the underlying tensions, exacerbated by accusations of external support for armed groups, remain. Continued diplomatic engagement and resolution efforts are crucial to alleviate the humanitarian crisis affecting millions in the region.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com