The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group have committed to an immediate ceasefire after peace talks facilitated by Qatar.
The breakthrough came before the Nairobi Process led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, initiated in March, and marks the most significant development since last month.
According to a statement released by the two parties on Wednesday, they agreed to a 'ceasefire', which is monumental following the rebel group's resurgence this year. The renewed fighting has displaced thousands, even as the United Nations warns of war crimes.
"In the spirit of mutual understanding and a shared commitment to resolving the conflict through peaceful means, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the AMF/M23 held some peace talks facilitated by the State of Qatar,” the statement read.
“After frank and constructive discussions, representatives of the DRC and the AFC/M23 agreed to work towards concluding a truce that would contribute to the effectiveness of the ceasefire,” it further added.
In that regard, the two parties agreed to commit to the immediate cessation of hostilities and a categorical rejection of any hate speech and intimidation, as they looked forward to peace in the DRC.
The latest comes after escalated conflict between DRC forces and the M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda in Eastern DRC, necessitated the urgent attention of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
This year, President William Ruto has overseen two crisis meetings between African leaders over the escalating conflict, with many observers noting the prolonged period the peace talks were taking. Others took issue with Ruto’s handling of the matter, suggesting hidden interests were affecting the talks.
Recently, Ruto chaired a virtual meeting of facilitators of the joint Nairobi-Luanda peace process where he implored the leaders to bring Rwanda into the discussions, despite its past reluctance due to tensions with the DRC.
Former President Kenyatta is among the facilitators appointed by the EAC and the SADC Heads of State to mediate the DRC conflict. However, since the formation of the Nairobi Peace Process in 2022, many observers have bemoaned the lack of a significant breakthrough in curbing the conflict.
The talks supposedly led by Uhuru stalled due to a combination of political distractions, military withdrawals, and a lack of commitment from key stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the latest development in Qatar promises to bring further scrutiny to the roles of Uhuru and Ruto in their aim to quell the war in the DRC. Also, the broader role of the EAC and SADC is expected to be put in the spotlight.
