Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has denounced ongoing peace efforts in Doha and Washington, declaring that he alone will decide when and how a dialogue between Congolese takes place.
Speaking firmly, Tshisekedi said he would not be distracted by initiatives outside the country and dismissed the need for any foreign facilitator.
His remarks come despite the fact that he had personally sought the involvement of Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US officials in mediating the conflict in eastern DRC.
The move throws into question months of diplomatic engagement aimed at de-escalating tensions between Kinshasa and the M23 rebels.
Tshisekedi’s sudden rejection follows increasing pressure on his government to honor commitments made in Doha, including the release of hundreds of detainees, many from the Tutsi community, as a goodwill gesture in exchange for M23 halting its advances and pulling back from strategic areas.
Washington has also been pressing Kinshasa to cut ties with the FDLR, a militia with roots in the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Instead, Kinshasa has continued to accuse M23 and Rwanda of atrocities, claims that were recently challenged at the United Nations Security Council after Rwanda demanded evidence of alleged massacres attributed to M23.
The rejection of Doha and Washington efforts marks a major setback in the search for peace in eastern Congo, raising fears of renewed confrontation as Tshisekedi’s government reinforces alliances with militias and seeks new weapon supplies.
