Peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have resumed in Qatar, sources confirmed on Tuesday, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the violence in Congo’s conflict-ridden east.
The two sides previously met in Doha in April to discuss a potential deal aimed at ending the fighting, which has claimed thousands of lives, displaced hundreds of thousands, and raised concerns about broader regional instability.
An official familiar with the talks in Doha told Reuters that the latest round began on May 3. “The negotiations are taking place in a positive atmosphere, and both parties have expressed optimism about the dialogue,” the official, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
However, two rebel sources indicated that M23 had sent a lower-level delegation this time compared to the previous round, and criticized the Congolese government delegation for lacking the authority to make decisions in the discussions. They also raised concerns about the government’s failure to take confidence-building actions, such as releasing suspected M23 members held by Congo.
A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A source in Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s office emphasized that Kinshasa’s priority was peace and that it was open to granting amnesty in certain cases.
Both sides issued statements after last month’s talks, committing to ending violence and hate speech, while calling on the Congolese people to support a ceasefire and foster a constructive environment for negotiations. Despite these commitments, the talks quickly became mired in technical details, and fighting in eastern Congo has continued.
The U.N. humanitarian office reported on Tuesday that armed clashes in North Kivu province had displaced at least 30,000 people since Friday.
Qatar has been involved in facilitating talks to resolve the ongoing conflict, which has deep roots in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In March, Qatar brokered a surprise meeting between Congolese President Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
The United Nations and Western governments have accused Rwanda of providing arms and troops to M23, a claim that Rwanda denies, stating that its military actions have been in self-defense against Congo’s army and a militia founded by perpetrators of the genocide.
The U.S. is also involved in peace efforts, pushing for a resolution alongside bilateral economic deals with both Congo and Rwanda, which are expected to be finalized by July. Massad Boulos, U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, has said these deals could bring billions of dollars in Western investment to the mineral-rich region.