A delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held new discussions with M23 rebels in Qatar last week in an effort to halt fighting in the country’s volatile east, a source familiar with the talks told Reuters and AFP on Saturday.
Neither side has publicly commented on the negotiations.
The first round of talks, held in late March, was described by a source as "positive." The closed-door discussions are set to resume in Doha on April 9.
"Further talks are expected in Doha, again with Qatari mediation, to maintain momentum and explore peaceful solutions to end the conflict," the source told AFP.
Rebels Withdraw from Strategic Mining Hub
On Thursday, Congo’s army announced that M23 rebels had withdrawn from the mining town of Walikale, fulfilling a commitment made during March negotiations. The military had initially accused the group of failing to honor its pledge.
Walikale marks the westernmost point of M23’s advance. The region is rich in minerals, including tin, and the rebels’ retreat was seen as a goodwill gesture.
Roots of the Conflict and Regional Tensions
The eastern Congo crisis has deep roots, stemming from the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and competition over the region’s vast mineral resources, including lithium and cobalt. The conflict has fueled decades of instability, with multiple armed groups vying for control.
The Tutsi-led M23, formed in 2012, remains one of the most formidable rebel factions in the area. Rwanda has repeatedly been accused of supporting the group—a claim it denies, instead accusing Congo of collaborating with militias linked to the genocide.
The violence has spilled beyond Congo’s borders, with Uganda and Burundi deploying troops to the region. The recent M23 offensive, which saw the capture of key eastern cities, has displaced hundreds of thousands and raised fears of a broader regional war.
The upcoming April 9 talks in Doha represent the most significant diplomatic effort in months to de-escalate the crisis. A source told Reuters that last week’s private discussions were constructive, paving the way for further negotiations.