- Title: Congo residents skeptical of Tshisekedi-Kagame talks on M23
- Date: 19th March 2025
- Summary: REUTERS, BERLIN, 19.03.2025 ZEITRAFFERAUFNAHME DES PLENARSAALS AUS DER KUPPEL DES REICHSTAGS JOURNALISTEN IM PLENARSAAL / REICHSTAGSKUPPEL TECHNIKER FISCHT NACH KABEL DER TELEFONANLAGE, ZWEI EINSTELLUNGEN TECHNIKER SCHRAUBT AN SITZEN, DIVERSE EINSTELLUNGEN TECHNIKER ARBEITET AN TELEFONANLAGE SITZPLAN PLENARSAAL SITZE DER REGIERUNGSBANK, ZWEI EINSTELLUNGEN KNÖPFE TELEFONANL
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Kagame africa bukavu conflict congo democratic drc eastern insurgencies military peace republic rwanda security war
- Location: KINSHASA & BUKAVU, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
- City: KINSHASA & BUKAVU, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
- Country: Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- Topics: Africa,Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA001998419032025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Congo residents were skeptical on Wednesday (March 19) about talks between Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame aimed at resolving the M23 conflict in eastern Congo.
The leaders met in Doha on Tuesday, mediated by Qatar's emir, calling for an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire in eastern Congo. This marks their first meeting since M23 rebels intensified their offensive in January, capturing significant territory including the region's two largest cities.
Residents in Bukavu, which has been occupied by the M23 since mid February, questioned the effectiveness of the talks, emphasizing the need for broader inclusion of political actors to achieve lasting peace. Some argued that closed-door meetings between the two leaders might not benefit Congo.
The conflict, rooted in the fallout from Rwanda's 1994 genocide and competition for mineral wealth, has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands. Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, which Rwanda denies. Previous peace attempts have faltered, including recent talks in Angola. Analysts warn that without broader dialogue, a durable resolution remains uncertain.
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