The Congo M23 peace talks concluded in Qatar on Wednesday with both sides pledging to end hostilities. The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels released identical statements promising to work toward peace. The truce comes after a surge in violence that began in January, leaving thousands dead and raising fears of a regional war.
In the joint statement, both sides committed to an immediate ceasefire, rejected hate speech and intimidation, and urged local communities to uphold the same values. While the announcement offers hope, frustration grew among negotiators over the slow progress.
Talks in Qatar lasted more than a week. Although delegates described the discussions as “frank and constructive,” sources said they often stalled over technical disagreements. Still, Qatar managed to secure a joint statement before both delegations left Doha.
“This is a crucial step toward ending the violence,” said Maxime Prevot, Belgium’s foreign affairs minister.
The M23 group, long excluded from past peace talks, has advanced rapidly since January. It now controls two of eastern Congo’s largest cities. Their offensive caused mass displacement and civilian deaths, fueling concerns of a broader conflict.
Until recently, the Congolese government refused to negotiate with M23. It labeled the group a terrorist organization. However, a surprise meeting in March between President Félix Tshisekedi of Congo and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, brokered by Qatar, changed that. Both leaders called for a ceasefire and urged dialogue.
Rwanda denies aiding M23. It claims its forces act in self-defense against Congo’s military and Hutu militias linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which killed about 1 million people. Yet the United Nations and Western governments continue to say Rwanda supports the rebel group with weapons and troops.
Confidence-building proposals, such as releasing prisoners accused of links to Rwanda and M23, led to sharp disagreements. A Congo government official said the country’s justice system is independent and cannot simply release those charged with crimes. “Some people must pay,” the source insisted.
On the rebel side, a delegate said these demands became a major obstacle. The talks nearly collapsed when the issue surfaced. Delegates left without resolving it. Despite that, Qatari mediators pushed hard and secured a last-minute agreement.
Meanwhile, fresh fighting erupted in Walikale, a key mining area in eastern Congo. A UN source confirmed the clashes on Wednesday. Earlier this month, M23 had pulled out of the town in what it called a goodwill gesture.
Although the truce marks progress, the situation remains fragile. For peace to hold, both parties must continue working through deep-rooted mistrust and unresolved grievances. The Congo M23 peace talks may have opened a path forward, but much work remains.
