Congo and M23 Rebels to Resume Peace Talks in Qatar Under U.S. Pressure

DOHA/KINSHASA|| July 4, 2025: The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have agreed to send delegations back to Qatar for renewed peace talks, as the United States intensifies diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and unlock critical mining investments in the region.

The announcement comes amid a fresh push by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a lasting peace deal between Congo and Rwanda, whose long-standing tensions have fueled repeated flare-ups of violence in eastern Congo. The latest conflict has led to the deaths of thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more.

M23 rebels currently control more territory than at any point since the group’s resurgence, following a lightning offensive earlier this year. The conflict, rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, continues to destabilize the mineral-rich region, which holds vast reserves of cobalt, copper, lithium, tantalum, and gold.

Qatar is a key mediator

Qatar is facilitating a separate but complementary dialogue platform involving the Congolese government and M23 representatives. Both sides confirmed on Thursday that they are preparing to resume talks in Doha.

“Since the signing of the Washington agreement, we have been contacted three times by the Qatari mediator to resume dialogue,” said Benjamin Mbonimpa, an M23 delegate involved in previous Doha sessions. However, he criticized the Congolese government for not demonstrating full commitment to the process and reiterated M23’s demand for the release of imprisoned fighters and the reopening of financial institutions in rebel-held areas.

The Congolese presidency confirmed to Reuters that government envoys will also return to Doha.

U.S. Drives Regional Peace Agenda

Last week, Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers signed a preliminary peace accord in Washington, pledging to implement a 2024 agreement that includes the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern Congo within 90 days.

President Trump has personally taken an interest in the negotiations and has invited Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Washington to sign what his administration is calling the “Washington Accord.”

Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, expressed optimism about a final agreement being ready by the end of July. “We would love to hold the summit in Washington by then,” he told reporters, while noting that progress in Doha remains essential to moving the process forward.

A UN report highlights Rwanda’s role

A recent UN expert panel report, obtained by Reuters, stated that Rwanda exercised command and control over M23 operations during their recent military advances. Kigali has denied the accusations, stating that the report misrepresents Rwanda’s security concerns, particularly the continued presence of Hutu militia groups responsible for the 1994 genocide.

Despite outstanding challenges and mutual distrust, Boulos remained hopeful. “Both President Tshisekedi and President Kagame are serious about reaching a solution,” he said.

The peace process, if successful, could pave the way for billions in foreign investment into Congo’s untapped mineral reserves—resources critical to global clean energy and technology supply chains.

— Reuters