In a dramatic and unexpected turn of events, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani orchestrated a high-level meeting in Doha on March 18, 2025, bringing together President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. The surprise gathering at Lusail Palace comes on the heels of cancelled peace talks in Angola planned as part of the Luanda Roadmap after representatives of the March 23rd Movement (M23) rebel group withdrew at the last minute.
According to the joint statement released by the Amiri Diwan of Qatar (see Draft Joint Statement for full details), the meeting was described as “fruitful” and aimed at easing tensions in eastern DRC, where the M23 offensive has dramatically altered the region’s dynamics. Over 7,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the year, and the rebel group has captured major cities such as Goma and Bukavu, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
For years, the DRC, the United States, and the United Nations and some EU countries have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels a charge that Rwanda has repeatedly denied. Despite these denials, the explosive military advances by M23 have fueled suspicions and placed regional security at risk. With planned peace talks in Angola cancelled following the M23’s withdrawal, coupled with a deterioration of diplomatic relationship between Rwanda and Belgium earlier this week, Qatar’s intervention marks a rare moment of direct engagement between the two longtime rivals.
Qatar’s diplomatic efforts have not come out of the blue. In January 2023, Qatar had already attempted to host peace talks between the DRC and Rwanda to revive the stalled Luanda agreement. More recently, Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, held separate meetings with the leaders of both countries to address growing tensions in the Great Lakes region. “Qatar reaffirms once again that dialogue is the optimal means for resolving disputes,” Al-Khulaifi stated on X (formerly Twitter) in a post on March 18, 2025.
At the Doha meeting, the three heads of state not only reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire as agreed at the joint EAC-SADC summit in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025, but also agreed to continue discussions initiated in Doha to lay the foundations for lasting peace. This commitment was articulated in a joint statement, which highlighted progress made in both the Luanda and Nairobi processes. The statement reads in part:
“The Heads of State agreed on the need to continue the discussions initiated in Doha in order to establish solid foundations for lasting peace as envisioned in the Luanda/Nairobi process.”
The significance of this meeting cannot be overstated. It marks the first face-to-face encounter between President Kagame and President Tshisekedi since the M23 rebel offensive intensified. The cancellation of the Angola talks and the subsequent Qatari mediation underscore the region’s desperation for a new approach to resolve the conflict, a conflict that has not only devastated communities in eastern DRC but also destabilized neighboring countries. It also reaffirms Qatars status as the new emerging trusted partners in mediating complex international conflicts, a role that has traditional been played by Western nations for decades.
This Doha initiative comes at a time when Western countries have been increasingly critical of Rwanda’s alleged involvement in eastern Congo. For instance, Reuters recently reported that European nations are reviewing their strategic minerals agreements with Rwanda in response to the mounting evidence of illicit resource trafficking from the DRC (Reuters). Similarly, Politico noted that the UK has suspended portions of its financial aid to Rwanda over the escalating violence in eastern Congo (Politico). Such measures reflect growing international pressure on Rwanda, adding further urgency to diplomatic efforts like those in Doha.
The Qatari mediation is particularly notable given the strained relations between Rwanda and many Western countries a fallout from historical grievances and ongoing allegations of neocolonial interference, as we saw earlier this week with the expulsion and counter expulsion of diplomats in both Rwandan and Belgium. While President Kagame’s government maintains that its actions in eastern Congo are driven solely by a need to secure its borders against extremist elements, critics argue that the offensive is more about securing access to the region’s vast mineral wealth.
For the DRC, the stakes are equally high. President Tshisekedi faces an uphill battle in restoring national sovereignty over a territory marred by decades of conflict. The Doha meeting is seen by many as a crucial step toward reviving a dialogue that has the potential to stabilize not only eastern Congo but the wider Great Lakes region.
In sum, Qatar’s surprise gathering in Doha offers a glimmer of hope amid deep-seated mistrust and conflict. As both DRC and Rwanda commit to continuing discussions toward a sustainable peace echoing the spirit of the Luanda/Nairobi process the international community will be watching closely to see if this renewed dialogue can break the cycle of violence that has plagued the region for far too long.
