The Minister of Interior of Rwanda and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo are in Doha, Qatar, for a meeting between the DRC Government and AFC/M23.
According to news from Radio France Internationale (RFI), Rwanda’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Vincent Biruta, and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Jacquemain Shabani, have arrived in Doha, where they are attending ongoing talks between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 coalition.
The outlet reports that the presence of these ministers at the talks signals that the negotiations have reached a high-level phase between the parties involved (the DRC government and AFC/M23), as the two are representing their respective countries (Rwanda and the DRC), which recently signed a peace agreement in Washington D.C. on June 27, 2025.
Under this agreement, both sides are also required to support the talks taking place in Doha between the DRC government and AFC/M23, as well as measures aimed at disarming and reintegrating members of armed groups into civilian life.
RFI states that its sources indicate the presence of these government representatives from Rwanda and the DRC was at the invitation of the mediator, the Government of Qatar, but that they are not attending the talks as direct participants.
Additionally, the outlet notes that the talks in Doha have reached a stage of open dialogue and in-depth discussions about the root causes of the long-standing conflict in Eastern DRC, a phase that requires great patience and caution.
It is also reported that the Government of Qatar has already shared with both parties (DRC and AFC/M23) a draft peace agreement, which has undergone multiple revisions based on each side’s demands.
President Kagame, in a recent interview with the press last week, also addressed the Doha talks, saying they followed his meeting with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi.
President Kagame affirmed that Rwanda is ready to implement all the commitments it made under the agreement signed with the DRC, but also mentioned that this will also depend on how other parties particularly the DRC, which has often shown little commitment to fulfil their obligations.
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