Congo and Rwanda-Backed Rebels Resume Peace Talks in Qatar as U.S. Pushes for Deal

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and representatives from the M23 rebel group have agreed to resume peace talks in Qatar, in a renewed diplomatic effort to end a devastating conflict that has ravaged eastern Congo and raised the stakes for global mining and regional stability.

The announcement came Thursday as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its efforts to broker a wider peace deal between Congo and Rwanda, whose alleged support for M23 has fueled one of the deadliest and most complex conflicts in Africa. U.S. officials believe a resolution could unlock billions of dollars in mining investment in one of the world’s richest but most volatile regions.

“A sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region is essential not only for regional stability but also for the global supply of critical minerals,” a senior U.S. State Department official said during a briefing in Washington.

M23 Controls More Territory Than Ever

The decision to return to the negotiating table comes amid a major escalation in fighting earlier this year. The M23 rebel group long accused of receiving arms, intelligence, and logistical support from Rwanda staged a lightning advance through North Kivu province, capturing more territory than at any point since the conflict re-emerged in 2021.

The offensive has displaced more than 800,000 people and left thousands dead, adding to the region’s long history of cyclical violence rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Despite repeated denials from Kigali, the United Nations and multiple human rights groups have published evidence of Rwandan military involvement on Congolese soil. Rwanda insists it is acting in self-defense against hostile elements operating near its border.

Qatar’s Quiet Role in African Peacebuilding

Qatar, which has increasingly positioned itself as a neutral diplomatic broker in African conflicts, is hosting a parallel mediation process with delegations from both the Congolese government and M23. This effort runs alongside U.S.-led regional diplomacy aimed at securing broader guarantees from Rwanda and other neighboring states.

Previous peace efforts, including those led by the African Union and regional blocs such as the East African Community (EAC), have faltered amid distrust and renewed violence. However, U.S. officials say this latest push carries more weight, given the scale of potential economic rewards and international pressure.

Minerals, Markets, and Motives

At the heart of international interest in the conflict is the rich mineral wealth of eastern Congo. The region contains some of the world’s largest reserves of cobalt, tantalum, gold, copper, and lithium critical materials for batteries, electronics, defense systems, and renewable energy infrastructure.

Global companies are eager to expand operations in Congo, but widespread insecurity has stifled investment. The Trump administration sees peace in the eastern provinces as key to securing Western access to strategic supply chains, especially as competition with China intensifies in the mining sector.

What’s at Stake?

The outcome of the resumed talks in Doha will determine whether the Congolese government can reassert sovereignty over its mineral-rich east or whether the region remains fragmented, violent, and dominated by proxy militias.

President Félix Tshisekedi, who faces growing domestic pressure over his handling of the conflict, has welcomed the talks but warned that any agreement must result in full disarmament of M23 and withdrawal of foreign fighters.

Meanwhile, M23 representatives have signaled they will demand amnesty and political reintegration, conditions that could prove controversial in Kinshasa.

Despite years of failed ceasefires and broken promises, both sides are now under mounting pressure from Washington, regional neighbors, and their own war-weary populations to reach a sustainable compromise.