Mediated by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on March 18, 2025
Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo’s Félix Tshisekedi met in Doha, Qatar, on March 18, 2025, for talks on the ongoing Congo conflict. The meeting was mediated by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, marking the first direct negotiations between the two leaders since tensions escalated earlier this year.
During the discussions, both leaders agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, emphasizing the need to continue diplomatic engagement to achieve long-term stability in eastern DRC. However, the M23 rebel group, a key player in the conflict, has rejected the ceasefire, stating that the Doha agreement does not address their core concerns.
This raises critical questions: Is this a genuine diplomatic breakthrough, or just another stalled peace initiative? Previous ceasefires have collapsed within weeks, and without clear enforcement mechanisms, the fighting in eastern Congo could easily resume.
With Qatar emerging as a key mediator in African conflicts, how will this shape future peace efforts in the region? And will Rwanda and the DRC honor their commitments, or is this another temporary political maneuver?
