Following several months and failed attempts, the leaders of the two nations currently at war have finally met thanks to the diplomatic efforts of Qatar.
Democratic Republic of Congo president Félix Tshisekedi has met his Rwandan counterpart and sworn-rival Paul Kagame for peace talks in Doha under the mediation of His Royal Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.
In Doha, Tshisekedi who had sworn to only meet Kagame “in heaven,” has engaged in peace talks with his Rwandan counterpart following several months of security tensions between the two countries, particularly in the eastern part of the DRC where Rwanda has been accused of supporting the AFC/M23 rebel-coalition.
The Congolese government have confirmed the meeting between the two leaders under the auspices of the Emir of Qatar on Tuesday.
“This Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in Doha, Presidents Felix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame met, at the initiative of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, within the framework of his good relations of cooperation and friendship with both countries,” the statement by the Congolese government reads.
The Congolese government have further indicated that Tshisekedi and Kagame had both agreed and committed to a ceasefire as well as continued dialogue through the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
“The two Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment in favor of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The modalities of implementation of what was agreed will be specified in the coming days within the framework of the findings of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes,” the statement also reads.
