AU Supports Peace Talks Between DRC and Rwanda Leaders in Doha

The African Union has endorsed talks between the leaders of the DRC and Rwanda in Doha, where they discussed peace amid ongoing violence from M23 rebels. The leaders called for an immediate ceasefire and committed to maintaining dialogue. The situation in eastern DRC has led to a severe humanitarian crisis affecting millions.

The African Union (AU) has expressed its support for the recent talks held in Doha between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, amid ongoing conflict in the resource-rich eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). AU Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf praised both leaders for their commitment to dialogue and urged all involved parties to sustain this positive momentum for peace.

The discussions, characterized by a spirit of constructive engagement, are viewed by the AU as a significant step towards implementing African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges. These dialogues are seen as complementary to existing regional mechanisms to address the ongoing strife. The talks mark the first direct engagement between the two leaders since the resurgence of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, who have captured key urban areas in the DRC this year.

During the meeting, both leaders called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the region. The specifics of how this ceasefire will be enforced are expected to be clarified in forthcoming days. These discussions follow M23’s withdrawal from a planned meeting in Angola, amidst European Union sanctions on several of its senior members.

The M23 group, among over 200 armed factions in eastern DRC, resumed its activities in 2022 after a decade of dormancy, culminating in the capture of Goma and Bukavu. The ongoing conflict has fueled a significant humanitarian crisis, affecting nearly seven million individuals, including over three million children, as reported by the United Nations.

In conclusion, the AU has welcomed the dialogue between the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC as a crucial step towards peace amid escalating violence fueled by armed groups. The meeting underscores the importance of African-led initiatives in resolving regional conflicts and aims to establish a ceasefire to alleviate the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing strife in eastern DRC.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com