The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels will hold their first direct talks on 9 April in Doha, Qatar. According to a Reuters report, sources from both sides confirmed the meeting on Tuesday.
Fighting in the country has intensified in recent months. Since January, M23 has captured key towns in North and South Kivu. The offensive has displaced hundreds of thousands and caused widespread casualties. Despite military efforts by the DRC, backed by South African, Burundian, and Ugandan troops, the rebels have held their ground. They now control areas rich in coltan, cobalt, and lithium.
A Congolese government official said the talks would proceed “unless the other side misbehaves.” An M23 source confirmed the group would present its demands to Kinshasa. Both sides have reportedly agreed not to disclose details of the negotiations.
The upcoming talks follow a surprise meeting between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha on 18 March. Although Rwanda has mainly been criticised for its alleged support of M23, the country maintains that its military is acting in self-defence against Congolese forces and militias hostile to Rwanda.
M23 has long pushed for direct negotiations. Tshisekedi had previously refused, arguing the group was a front for Rwanda. Last month, after a series of battlefield losses, he changed his stance. He agreed to talks in Luanda, Angola. However, the meeting was cancelled at the last minute when M23 withdrew, citing European Union sanctions.
Angola had tried to intervene by mediating the conflict. However, it announced it would step back last week while blaming external interference and failed negotiations. The country had brokered the planned talks in Luanda. Growing tensions, including Tshisekedi and Kagame’s separate discussions in Qatar, reportedly complicated its efforts.
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