The AU has welcomed the Doha meeting between DR Congo and Rwanda leaders amid ongoing violence in eastern DRC. AU Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf praised the leaders for their commitment to dialogue and called for an immediate ceasefire. The M23 rebel group, which has caused significant unrest in the region, recently withdrew from talks in Angola following EU sanctions on its leaders.
The African Union (AU) has expressed support for the recent discussions between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha. Their meeting comes amid ongoing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). AU Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf praised both leaders for their commitment to dialogue. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum toward peace in the region and underscored the AU’s support for African-led strategies to address these challenges.
During their dialogue, the leaders called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, with further details on its implementation to be provided shortly. These discussions took place after the M23 rebels withdrew from a scheduled meeting in Angola due to European Union sanctions against their leadership. Notably, the EU sanctioned senior M23 members as well as several Rwandan military officials for alleged support of the rebellion.
M23 is one of over 200 armed groups competing for control in eastern DRC, an area rich in valuable minerals like cobalt. The Congolese government, alongside the United States and United Nations experts, has accused Rwanda of supporting M23, claims that Rwanda has vehemently denied. The M23 group, after years of dormancy, resumed its aggressive maneuvers in 2022, capturing key cities including Goma and Bukavu earlier this year.
The ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing nearly 7 million individuals, including approximately 3.5 million children, according to United Nations reports. The situation necessitates urgent attention and collaborative efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
The recent meeting in Doha between the leaders of the DR Congo and Rwanda highlights a significant step towards dialogue amid escalating violence in eastern DRC. The AU’s support for these discussions emphasizes the importance of African-led solutions to regional conflicts. The urgent need for a ceasefire and continued dialogue remains critical to addressing the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict in the region.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
