By Kabiru Abdulrauf
Hopes for peace in eastern Congo have dimmed after peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group collapsed in Doha, Qatar, with both delegations withdrawing and no immediate plans for resumption.
The talks, brokered by Qatar following a rare face-to-face meeting last month between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, were aimed at achieving a ceasefire. However, the dialogue quickly stalled over disagreements on confidence-building measures, particularly M23’s demand for the release of hundreds of prisoners detained in Congo for alleged links to the rebels and Rwanda.
Congolese officials firmly rejected the demands. “They are asking for too much. Crimes have been committed. Some people must pay,” said a government source, underscoring the country’s stance that its justice system remains independent and cannot be swayed by external pressure.
Since January, M23 has captured key territories, including the two largest cities in eastern Congo—an advance that has sparked alarm across the Great Lakes region and raised the specter of a wider regional conflict.
With talks now in limbo, the path to peace in eastern Congo remains uncertain, and the risk of renewed hostilities looms larger than ever.
