What wouldn’t it take to realize peace in DRC … and who advantages? | DW New
There are few moments of hope in the conflict in DRC right now, but the presidents of Rwanda and DR Congo now say they support a ceasefire. The two leaders met for surprise talks in Qatar, just hours after negotiations in Angola failed.
Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In a statement the two heads of state "reaffirmed the commitment of all parties to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire."
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group had earlier pulled out of peace talks with the DRC that were scheduled in Angola on Tuesday. The group blamed EU sanctions on some of its members. So what’s at stake in eastern DRC?
M23 escalated its offensive in January, seizing control of the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu in the mineral-rich areas, near the border with Rwanda. Analysts say M23 is no longer just a military actor, but presenting itself as a political force.
The conflict has killed thousands of civilians and displaced many more, leading to a humanitarian crisis. The recent fighting raised fears of a repeat of the Second Congo War, from 1998 to 2003, which involved numerous African countries and caused millions of deaths from violence, disease and starvation.
Just last week a Southern African regional force said it was ending its troop deployment in DRC. At least 17 soldiers from the mission habe been killed in the east of the country since January.
SADC, the 16-nation bloc, held a virtual summit to discuss the ongoing conflict in an area that has seen three decades of unrest. The troops were deployed there two years ago to support the Congolese army against M23.
And the government of the DRC has also been looking to the US for a potential deal that would see the US invest in critical minerals while helping to reinforce stability.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi met US lawmaker Ronny Jackson to discuss fighting in the east of the country and opportunities for US investment. Earlier Washington said it was open to exploring critical minerals partnerships with Congo.
00:00 What’s at stake for peace in the DRC
02:31 DW speaks with Congolese policy analyst Kambale Musavuli of the Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa
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