The State of Qatar has hosted a trilateral meeting in Doha aimed at easing tensions in the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The high-level discussions, held on Tuesday, brought together His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar; His Excellency President Paul Kagame of Rwanda; and His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of all parties to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, in line with previous agreements reached through the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. The leaders also welcomed progress made in these diplomatic efforts and the outcomes of the recent EAC-SADC summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025.
The Heads of State further agreed to continue discussions in Doha to establish solid foundations for lasting peace, emphasizing the alignment of the Luanda and Nairobi initiatives. This comes as tensions remain high between the DRC and Rwanda over allegations of Kigali’s support for the M23 rebel group, which has been involved in ongoing clashes in eastern Congo.
Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi expressed their gratitude to the State of Qatar and Sheikh Tamim for hosting the meeting and providing a platform for constructive dialogue. The discussions are expected to contribute to regional stability by fostering trust and cooperation between the two nations.
The State of Qatar has increasingly positioned itself as a key diplomatic actor in African affairs, leveraging its mediation experience to promote conflict resolution in various parts of the continent. With the Doha talks, Qatar aims to play a more prominent role in addressing the complex security dynamics of the Great Lakes region.
Further engagements are expected as the leaders work towards implementing confidence-building measures and securing long-term peace in eastern DRC.
