“Continuing discussions in order to establish the solid foundations for a durable peace”: this is the purpose of both Congolese and Rwandan Presidents, who met in Doha, Qatar, on March 18. The beginning of something significant, or merely eye wash?
President of DR Congo Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met a few days ago in Doha under the mediation of emir Tamim ben Hamad al-Thani. Both Presidents had not met for more than one year. In the meantime, the conflict in Easter Congo became intensified. The peace processus was successfully launched by Qatar, and both Presidents managed to talk again despite the deep tension. The most difficult now stands before them, and the words must be followed by actions.
The ultimate goal remains the same: trying to find a solution to the crisis in Eastern Congo, undermined by a conflict led by the rebels of M23. The armed group took power of important parts of North-Kivu and South-Kivu over the last couple of years. DR Congo claims that Kagame is supporting M23, and several reports written by the United Nations are strengthening this hypothesis.
Nothing was signed during the 45-minute meeting organized in Qatar, but both Presidents agreed on the necessity to establish an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. We do not know the deadline of the ceasefire, but the desire to set up peace seems to be common between both countries. Negotiation will be the key to stop hostilities.
The necessity of a ceasefire in Eastern Congo does not need to be highlighted. The conflict caused too many innocent casualties and compelled thousands of people to leave their homeland in a region that has not experimented peace since 2004 and the official beginning of the Kivu war.
By Guillaume Mahot