The United States has intensified pressure on Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to fast-track peace negotiations, as regional tensions persist and violence escalates in eastern Congo.
“There is no sense fooling around on this. If we are going to do it, we do it now,” a senior US official asserted, underlining Washington’s urgency in pushing for a breakthrough in the stalled diplomatic process.
A planned high-level meeting in May between the foreign ministers of Rwanda and the DRC failed to materialize, spotlighting the fragile state of the peace efforts. Diplomatic ties between Kinshasa and Kigali remain strained, with the DRC repeatedly accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, an allegation Rwanda firmly denies.
In a parallel mediation effort led by Qatar, delegations from the Congolese government and the M23 rebels have been recalled to Doha for renewed discussions. Sources close to both parties confirmed the resumption of talks following a week of behind-the-scenes consultations. The Qatar-facilitated dialogue is being treated as a complementary track to the broader regional efforts.
M23 rebels have seized swathes of territory in eastern Congo in recent months, displacing thousands and deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Despite mounting international and regional pressure, diplomats warn that deep-rooted mistrust between the two countries remains a key obstacle. While the US continues to play a more active role in mediating the crisis, experts caution that lasting peace will hinge on a genuine commitment to dialogue and compromise from all sides involved.
Written By Rodney Mbua
