Somalia backs Qatar’s mediation efforts between DRC and Rwanda to reduce conflicts. Somalia’s government praised the initiative, highlighting a commitment to peace and stability in the region. The talks were the first face-to-face discussions since M23 rebel escalations, though compliance from the rebels on ceasefire remains unclear.
Somalia has expressed its support for Qatar’s diplomatic efforts to mediate talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. A meeting was held in Doha, facilitated by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, focused on diminishing tensions between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame amidst ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the initiative as a significant step toward cultivating peace and stability in both eastern DRC and the broader region. The Somali government also recognized the commitment of both leaders to pursue an immediate and unconditional ceasefire while expressing solidarity with the residents of DRC and Rwanda in their quest for harmony.
Somalia further praised Qatar’s initiative in fostering dialogue-oriented conflict resolution. The Ministry expressed its gratitude towards Qatar for facilitating constructive discussions aimed at resolving disputes through peaceful methods.
The Doha conference represented the first in-person dialogue between Kagame and Tshisekedi since the escalation of hostilities by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels. This group is accused by Kinshasa of benefitting from Rwandan support and has since advanced aggressively into DRC territory, having captured strategic locations such as Goma and Bukavu earlier this year.
While both leaders have advocated for an immediate ceasefire, it remains unclear if the M23 rebels, who previously withdrew from peace negotiations in Angola, will adhere to this newly proposed agreement.
Somalia’s support for Qatar’s mediation highlights a commitment to fostering peace in the DRC-Rwanda conflict. The dialogue between Tshisekedi and Kagame symbolizes a crucial attempt to address escalating tensions in the region. However, the potential cooperation of the M23 rebels remains uncertain, which could impact the success of the ceasefire and peace advancement efforts.
Original Source: themedialine.org
