AFC/M23 rebels and Kinshasa agree on a ceasefire during negotiations in Qatar

The first direct peace discussions in over three years took place in Qatar, when the Congolese government and AFC/M23 rebels agreed to an immediate end to fighting in eastern DR Congo.

“In a spirit of mutual understanding and a shared commitment to resolving the conflict through peaceful means,” the joint statement issued on Wednesday, April 23, said the Qatar-mediated talks, which have been going on since at least April 10.

In the statement, which was also broadcast on state television RTNC on Wednesday, Rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated, “After candid and productive discussions, representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the AFC/M23 agreed to work towards concluding a truce that would contribute to the effectiveness of the ceasefire.”

“Both parties reaffirm their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities, a categorical rejection of any hate speech, and a call on all local communities to uphold these commitments by mutual agreement.”

According to the statement, the negotiators also decided “to immediately respect these commitments throughout the period of the talks and until their conclusion.”

“The dialogue will address the modalities for ending the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as well as the root causes of the ongoing crisis,” according to Kanyuka.

The insurgents have been in charge of Goma and Bukavu since January.

Following the failure of the first attempt in March at direct talks between President Felix Tshisekedi’s administration and the rebels, who control two key cities in eastern DR Congo, mediated by Angola, the negotiations in Qatar took place.

Just more than a month has passed since the rebels retreated from the town of Walikale, which is located roughly 130 kilometers north of Goma, as a goodwill gesture to facilitate peace negotiations.

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, invited Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame on March 18. They backed regional peace initiatives and a ceasefire to establish enduring peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In response to claims that Rwanda backs the AFC/M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, Rwanda has expressed concern about Tshisekedi’s threats to overthrow Rwandan leaders and DR Congo’s cooperation with the FDLR, a militia established by former members of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Rejecting the accusations, the Rwandan government claims to have implemented defensive measures to stop the threats from coming to pass.

Persecution of the Tutsi community in Congo has been spearheaded by the UN-sanctioned FDLR terrorist group, which is a member of the government coalition fighting the AFC/M23 rebels. Additionally, the militia has attacked Rwanda for the last 20 years.