Qatar has played a mediating role in bringing Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo together for talks, using their robust economic relationships as a foundation to support essential peace discussions.
Qatar has been facilitating negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict involving the M23 rebel group, which is supported by Rwanda, against the Congolese army in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
On Tuesday, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congo’s leader, Felix Tshisekedi, had a meeting with Qatar's ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
As stated jointly by Qatar's Foreign Ministry following the discussions, both African presidents reiterated their dedication to a "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire However, it remained unclear how this would be put into practice or overseen, since no immediate solutions were presented.
This was the initial gathering where both presidents had sat across from each other at the negotiation table since the M23 rebellion began. took control of the key Congolese cities of Goma and Bukavu in January and February.
Qatar assumes the position of conflict mediator.
Beverly Ochieng, a senior associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Africa Program, noted that Qatar has an impressive history of facilitating successful peace agreements.
She informed INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL that previous peace initiatives undertaken by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community did not succeed—any proposed ceasefires fell apart before implementation.
"Qatar’s participation is unexpected, yet it aligns with numerous instances where they have been engaged in multiple peace efforts or dialogues across different regions,” noted Ochieng. She further mentioned that the negotiations facilitated by Qatar between Chad's opposition groups and the transitional government contributed to “reducing rebel hostilities.”
Ochieng highlighted Doha's achievements considering its enduring position as mediator in Afghanistan .
"It would significantly boost regional stability and come with minimal reputational risk, considering that Rwanda is currently under international sanctions due to the conflict in the east of DR Congo... this might be why Qatar wants to facilitate talks between Tshisekedi and Kagame," she explained.
Qatar eager to bolster regional stability and economic connections
Tina Salama, Congo's spokesperson for the presidency, stated on X that the discussions were proposed by Al Thani, characterizing the Persian Gulf country as a "key partner" to both nations.
Qatar's significant investments render it a crucial strategic ally for Rwanda. Qatar Airways owns nearly fifty percent of the shares in Rwanda’s government-run carrier, RwandAir, and also possesses a sixty percent interest in Bugesera International Airport, which is located close to Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali.
RwandAir and Qatar Airways have entered into a codeshare pact aimed at enhancing connections through direct services between Kigali and Doha.
Interest in Rwanda aligns with Qatar’s broader expansion plans. “As a small nation in the Middle East aiming to make its mark internationally, Qatar has been proactive,” stated Yvon Muya Cimanga, who teaches at the School of Conflict Studies at Saint Paul University located in Ottawa, Canada.
Yvon mentioned that to achieve their intended objectives, the governments employ politics, sports, diplomacy, and economic strategies as well.
Expanding the economy through airport investments
Oil and natural gas form the backbone of Qatar’s economy, contributing over 70% to overall governmental income. This nation in the Persian Gulf possesses the globe's third-largest reserves of confirmed natural gas and ranks as the third-biggest exporter of natural gas worldwide.
"However, the nation aims to expand its economic base, and the abundant minerals in the African Great Lakes region undeniably present an opportunity for the monarchy as well," Muya stated to INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL.
DoHA's approach in the area appears to focus on investments; they put money into infrastructural developments aimed at updating airports and harbors.
The bilateral relationship between the two nations has progressively strengthened since diplomacy was initiated in 2017. They are connected through various accords and Memoranda of Understanding covering sectors such as commerce, air travel, and farming.
However, Qatar aims to enhance its economic ties with Congo as well. In 2024, Qatar Airways declared an extension of its route map to incorporate Congo’s capital city, Kinshasa. This move will allow for more frequent flights and heightened capacity on routes to Luanda, Angola, and various other areas.
The first flight from Doha to Kinshasa touched down at N’djili International Airport on June 1, 2024. By taking this step, the airline aims to enhance air links throughout Africa and strengthen both commercial opportunities and cultural connections.
Qatar's strong ties—a means for initiating discussions
For Muya, Qatar's involvement in the peace process for eastern Congo is expected.
He stated that this could be attributed to the strengthened ties in recent years between the monarchy and the two conflicting nations.
The Angolan President, João Lourenço—who holds the position of African Union chairperson and serves as a peace negotiator in the Congo conflict—is advocating for direct negotiations between Kinshasa and the M23 rebel group.
After the discussions on Tuesday, the Rwandan presidency stated on X that the leaders also highlighted "the critical necessity for direct political engagement with AFC/M23 as essential for tackling the underlying issues fueling the conflict in eastern DRC."
The scrutiny faced by Kagame highlights the effect of global pressure.
The gathering of the two leaders occurred following an earlier unsuccessful effort to convene peace discussions between Congo's government and the M23 rebels. The rebels pulled out On Monday following the European Union's announcement of sanctions against their leadership.
Muya claims that M23 and their supporter Rwanda are attempting to acquire more power. as much ground as possible prior to participating in significant discussions in Kinshasa.
Nevertheless, as Muya pointed out, Rwanda's President Kagame seems to indicate that the escalating international pressure over the past few weeks is beginning to affect his administration.
According to analyst Ochieng, it's "highly symbolic that both Tshisekedi and Kagame have joined forces for these discussions," she stated.
Edited by: Keith Walker
Author: Martina Schwikowski
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