Conflict in the Eastern Congo: Congo and M23 rebels pave the way for peace agreements

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group have undertaken a significant step towards setting up the conflict in the east of the country. Representatives of the state and the rebels signed a fundamental declaration in the Qatarian capital Doha, which is supposed to cause the way to a peace agreement.

The rebels supported by Rwanda have areas and important cities in the Eastern Congo in their violence. There, some of the rarest and most valuable metals in the world are broken down in large quantities, including Tantal, Gold, Nickel, cobalt and copper. Tantal is essential, for example, for the production of laptops, smartphones and the batteries of electric vehicles.

Hope for a permanent end of violence

The explanation “provides for a permanent termination of violence and the attacks in the Congo, justifies a new phase of the partnership between all participants and paves the way for the acceptance of direct negotiations to achieve a comprehensive peace,” said Katar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, at a press conference at the sink.

The Congolese government had long ruled out to negotiate directly with the rebels and held the neighboring country Rwanda for. Despite the proven support of the rebels, Rwanda always contested his role in the conflict. At the end of June, the Congo and Rwanda then signed a peace agreement in Washington with the mediation of the USA and Qatar.

The conflict had escalated since January of this year. With the support of Rwanda, the M23 had taken the city of Goma and adjacent cities and towns. In their conquered areas, the rebels used their own administrations. According to UN, more than half a million people have fled the fights since the beginning of the year, while hundreds were killed and thousands were injured.