On March 18, 2025, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda held their first direct talks in Doha, Qatar, amid the ongoing M23 rebel insurgency. Mediated by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, they issued a joint call for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire in eastern DRC.
There’s fighting in eastern DRC, with M23 rebels taking over important cities like Goma in January and Bukavu in February. The DRC says that Rwanda is helping the M23 rebels, but Rwanda says this isn’t true. The fighting has killed many people and forced many others to leave their homes, making the humanitarian crisis even worse.
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Past attempts to make peace, like the talks in Angola, have failed. M23 leaders pulled out after the European Union put sanctions in place. The goal of the Doha meeting was to create trust again and get ready for long-term peace. The leaders both decided to keep talking to build a strong base for lasting stability in the area.
The conflict in eastern DRC stems from the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, with various armed groups competing for control over valuable minerals. External actors also complicate efforts for resolution. The international community is cautiously optimistic about the Doha talks, which aim for an immediate ceasefire. Successful implementation and ongoing cooperation among stakeholders are crucial for addressing the root causes of the conflict and achieving lasting peace.
