The terms of a potential ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remained unclear Wednesday, following unexpected talks between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha.
Fighting in eastern DRC has escalated in recent weeks, with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group seizing two provincial capitals in a swift offensive.
A peace summit scheduled for Tuesday in Luanda between Kinshasa and the M23 did not take place. Instead, Qatar mediated a last-minute meeting between Tshisekedi and Kagame, hosted by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
A joint statement from the three nations confirmed that both leaders supported an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as agreed at an African summit last month.
The meeting was described as “fruitful,” fostering confidence in a stable future for the DRC and the region. However, details on how the ceasefire would be implemented remain vague.
Qatar, known for its diplomatic role in conflicts across Yemen, Israel-Palestine, and Afghanistan, emphasized the need for continued negotiations to lay the groundwork for lasting peace.
The Congolese presidency stated that specifics on executing the agreement would be clarified in the coming days.
The African Union welcomed the renewed dialogue and urged all parties to uphold the momentum toward peace.
However, with fighting ongoing and past ceasefire attempts failing, uncertainty lingers over whether this latest agreement will hold.
