Somalia Endorses Qatar’s Mediation in DRC-Rwanda Peace Talks

Somalia has announced its support for Qatar’s mediation in facilitating peace talks between DRC and Rwanda, hosted in Doha. The discussions, led by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, aim to ease tensions resulting from ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC. Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs heralds the initiative as a crucial move towards stability and peace in the region.

Somalia has expressed its support for Qatar’s diplomatic mediation efforts between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. This initiative facilitated a meeting in Doha where DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame convened to address ongoing regional conflicts. The talks, mediated by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, aimed to ease tensions between the two nations.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the mediation as a significant advance toward establishing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader region. The Somali government commended the commitments made by both leaders towards an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and reiterated its solidarity with the citizens of DRC and Rwanda in their quest for tranquility.

Furthermore, Somalia praised Qatar’s commitment to conflict resolution through dialogue. The Ministry acknowledged Qatar’s efforts in fostering peaceful discussions and mediation, stating, “We extend our appreciation to the State of Qatar for its role in promoting constructive dialogue and mediation to resolve conflicts through peaceful means.”

The Doha meeting represented the initial in-person negotiations between President Kagame and President Tshisekedi since the escalation of conflicts related to the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in eastern DRC. In recent months, M23 rebels, which Kinshasa alleges are backed by Rwanda, captured Goma and subsequently advanced towards Bukavu.

While both leaders have advocated for a ceasefire, uncertainty looms over whether the M23 rebels, who previously withdrew from peace discussions in Angola, will adhere to this new accord.

In summary, Somalia has endorsed Qatar’s mediating role in the recent DRC-Rwanda talks, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in resolving conflicts. The Somali government has called for peace and a ceasefire between the nations while stressing the necessity to involve all parties, including active rebel groups, in future discussions. This diplomatic engagement by Qatar and the support from Somalia highlight a collaborative effort towards regional stability in eastern DRC.

Original Source: themedialine.org