In Doha, Qatar, a number of African and international representatives convened to resume the talks aimed at resolving the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Representatives from Togo, the United States, France, Qatar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda attended the conference, according to a statement released by the Qatari foreign affairs ministry on Wednesday, April 30.
It comes after the chiefs of state of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Qatar met trilaterally in Doha on March 18.
“The ongoing dialogue between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23rd (AFC/M23) movement, the efforts to address the situation in the eastern DR Congo, and the humanitarian situation in eastern DR Congo, which continues to demand an urgent and coordinated response, were the main topics of discussion,” the joint statement stated.
It added that the representatives praised the joint statement made by the AFC/M23 and the DR Congo, which was made possible by Qatar, on their commitments to the ceasefire, which is a top priority in order to enable humanitarian aid.
The representatives concurred that addressing the underlying causes of the current crises and the obstacles to lasting peace via discussion is crucial for the region’s future. Additionally, they emphasized their shared stance that the disputing parties must immediately resolve this matter while taking into account relevant resolutions from the UN and the African Union.
They also stated their willingness to support the ongoing efforts that foster mutual trust, a sustainable ceasefire, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, including those undertaken by the EAC and SADC under the African Union’s auspices. They also praised the historic progress made by the signing of the Declaration of Principles in Washington, D.C., on April 25.
