AU Commends Doha Talks Between DR Congo and Rwanda Leaders

The African Union supports the recent Doha talks between DRC’s President Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Kagame amid ongoing violence in eastern DRC. The leaders have called for an immediate ceasefire. This dialogue reflects a commitment to addressing conflict through constructive engagement and is critical as the region faces a severe humanitarian crisis.

The African Union (AU) has expressed its support for the recent discussions held in Doha between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. This meeting marks a significant step as conflicts persist in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). AU Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf praised the leaders for their commitment to dialogue and encouraged the involved parties to continue fostering this momentum.

In his statement, Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s dedication to facilitating African-led solutions to regional challenges. He described the Doha talks, characterized by constructive engagement, as complementary to ongoing regional efforts. This meeting was the first direct dialogue since M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, captured major cities in eastern DRC earlier this year.

During the discussions, the leaders called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, with further details on its implementation to be clarified soon. These negotiations followed M23’s withdrawal from scheduled talks with DRC representatives in Angola, prompted by recent EU sanctions on key group members and Rwandan military officials linked to M23.

M23 is among the over 200 armed factions competing for control in eastern DRC, a region endowed with valuable minerals, especially cobalt. The DRC government, supported by the United States and UN experts, accuses Rwanda of aiding M23, a claim that the Rwandan government vehemently denies. After years of inactivity, M23 renewed its offensive in 2022, culminating in the capture of Goma and later Bukavu.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, affecting almost 7 million individuals, including over 3.5 million children, as reported by the United Nations.

The AU has positively acknowledged the recent talks between DRC and Rwandan leaders in Doha amid ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. This dialogue is crucial in pursuing peace as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Continued commitment to engage and resolve tensions through dialogue remains vital, particularly against the backdrop of M23’s resurgence and alleged foreign influence. The international community, through measures like sanctions, is closely monitoring the situation as efforts are made to restore stability.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com