Dr. Congo and Rwanda calls for a ceasefire in the conflict with the M23 rebels

The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo called for Felix Thimikde and his Rwandan country, Paul Kagame, to a “immediate ceasefire” in the east of Dr. Congo, after there was a direct present in Qatar.

This is the first time that Zaiman has met since Rwanda -backed M23 rebels in the area ascended, as the authorities say 7,000 people have been killed since January.

It is unclear whether the M23 will respond to the ceasefire, after the rebels refused to attend peace talks in Angola on Tuesday.

Dr. Congo accuses Rwanda of arming M23 and sending forces to support the rebels in the conflict. Despite the assurances of both the United Nations and the United States, Rwanda denied the support of M23.

Rwanda said its forces are acting self -defense against the army of Dr. Kongo and the allied militias. Dr. Kongo also accuses Rwanda of illegally exploiting its mineral deposits in the east of the country, which is also denied by Rwanda.

Last December, the peace talks in which Angola interceded collapsed after Rwanda requested that the government of Dr. Congo speak directly to the M23.

Then the rebel group has advanced quickly, controlling two main cities – Goma and Bukavu – in the past two months.

According to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar on Tuesday, African presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, but it was not clear how this would be implemented or monitored.

“The heads of state then agreed to the need to continue the discussions that started in Doha in order to create strong foundations for permanent peace,” he added.

The meeting was surprised by many, as the two leaders seemed unabated in the conflict often exchanged criticism in public places.

With the confirmation of the talks in the Qatari capital, the Rwandan presidency He insisted in a separate statement direct talks Between Dr Cong and M23 was the “key to address the root causes of the conflict”.

President Kajami expressed his belief that with “all the parties that work together, things can move faster.”

Dr. Congo, Presidential President Tina Naama He said on X that the talks started Written by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tarim bin Hamad Al Thani, describing the Gulf nation as a “strategic ally for the two countries (African).”

In a presidential statement, the Congolese government said that the meeting represents the first step towards a basis for permanent peace in the volatile East, which hints to more talks.

The meeting of the two leaders came as a previous attempt to gather the government of Dr. Kongo and the M23 rebels failed for peace talks. On Monday, the rebels withdrew after the European Union announced sanctions against their leadership.