Congo, M23 Delegations Leave Peace Negotiations in Doha

Peace negotiations between Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in Doha, Qatar, have collapsed with no immediate plans to resume talks, after making no significant progress towards a ceasefire.

Qatar last month, brokered a surprise sit-down between Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President, Paul Kagame during which the two leaders called for a ceasefire.

According to the government sources, that was meant to lead to direct talks this month between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23. But while the two sides sent delegations to Doha, the meetings quickly bogged down on technical details and potential confidence-building measures such as the release of Congo-held prisoners accused of links to Rwanda and M23.

M23 had demanded the release of hundreds of prisoners, which the Congolese government refused.

“Hundreds of prisoners, charges dropped, convictions overturned, our justice system is independent. We cannot give in to every whim. Crimes have been committed. Some people must pay,” the government source added.

M23 has staged an unprecedented advance since January, seizing eastern Congo’s two largest cities and raising fears of an all-out regional war.

Reuters/Kamila