Joint mediation efforts by the US and Qatar were intended to result in a peace agreement between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group in August, following on from the declaration of principles signed in July. However, the prevailing mutual mistrust on the Qatar track, particularly the impasse on the issue of prisoner exchange, has derailed this promise.
As negotiations continue in Doha, the M23 is occupying more territory in the Kivus, building parallel governance structures and training thousands of new recruits, often forcibly. Additionally, the Democratic Republic of the Congo government stands accused of numerous violations of the July ceasefire and has effectively lost control over the decentralized Wazalendo self-defence groups. Incendiary language used by both sides in the media has further damaged the fragile process.
Despite the US’s growing impatience with the lack of a peace agreement, talks about securing a mining deal have continued, attracting criticism for their opacity and extractive nature. The divergence between local dynamics, diplomatic initiatives and business deals brings into question the real prospect for durable peace in the Great Lakes region.
Key questions to be discussed at this webinar include:
- What does the stalling of the Doha track mean for the prospects for peace in the DRC?
- What are the positives and limitations of the US-Qatari approach to peace in the Great Lakes region?
- What are the chances that the US’s commitment to facilitating peace talks in the region will falter?
- What is standing in the way of a durable ceasefire and trust building between warring parties?
- How can the shortcomings of previous peace agreements be averted?
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