Negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 armed group are progressing favorably. A diplomat confirmed Thursday that talks in Qatar are moving in the right direction. It follows calls by the M23 rebels for renewed dialogue.
The goal is to address unresolved issues from the June peace agreement. That agreement, signed in Washington by Kigali and Kinshasa, sought to end the brutal conflict. The fighting has claimed thousands of lives in eastern Congo.
DR Congo government representatives and M23 negotiators are working with Qatari mediators. They aim to finalize a comprehensive resolution. The talks are sensitive, according to the anonymous diplomat involved.
Mediators are focused on alleviating civilian suffering. They also seek to reinforce the fragile ceasefire. The overall objective is to foster significant steps towards reconciliation.
The M23, however, was absent from the Washington accord. The group subsequently demanded a separate ceasefire deal. The rebels had seized large territories earlier this year, including key provincial capitals.
Conflict has ravaged eastern DRC for decades. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the violence. While Rwanda denies supporting the M23, UN experts assert a critical role by the Rwandan army in the M23 offensive.