DRC, Rwanda presidents meet in Qatar after peace talks in Angola were cancelled

In a surprising turn of events, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Félix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame held their first direct talks in Qatar on Tuesday (18 March), in a bid to address the escalating conflict in eastern DRC.

The meeting, mediated by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, marked a significant diplomatic step following months of violence tied to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have captured key cities in the region. In a joint statement, the two leaders, along with Qatar, called for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” in eastern DRC, where the conflict has displaced over 7 million people. The M23 rebels, who have been advancing through North and South Kivu provinces, are accused by the DRC of receiving Rwandan military support, a claim Rwanda denies.

The meeting came amid mounting tensions as the European Union imposed sanctions on M23 leaders and Rwandan military figures, which led to the rebels pulling out of planned peace talks in Angola. DRC foreign ministry said in a statement the peace talks planned for 18 March were cancelled “due to reasons and circumstances of force majeure,” a possible reference to the last-minute decision by the Rwanda-backed M23 group to stay away. Despite this setback, Tshisekedi and Kagame expressed hope for continued dialogue, aiming to build lasting peace in the region. This historic encounter, though informal, signals a potential shift in the diplomatic landscape, with both sides committing to further discussions to resolve the crisis.