Delegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels will return to Qatar for renewed peace talks, driven by a diplomatic push from U.S. President Donald Trump. The effort aims to end deadly fighting in eastern Congo and pave the way for vast Western investments in critical minerals.

Washington Steps In

The Trump administration has intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the long-running conflict between Congo and M23 rebels. With eastern Congo holding significant reserves of cobalt, tantalum, lithium, and gold, U.S. officials are aiming to stabilise the region to facilitate Western mining investments.

U.S. senior Africa adviser Massad Boulos revealed that Trump invited Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Washington to sign a sweeping agreement dubbed the “Washington Accord.” The White House hopes to finalise a peace framework in Doha before the end of July.

M23 Agrees to Talks, Raises Conditions

At a press conference on July 3, M23 official Benjamin Mbonimpa confirmed the group would resume dialogue in Doha but criticised Kinshasa for dragging its feet. “Since the signing of the Washington agreement, we have been contacted three times by the Qatari mediator to resume dialogue,” he said.

M23 demands progress on specific preconditions, including the release of its imprisoned fighters and reopening of banks in rebel-controlled areas.

Congo Responds, Peace Still Fragile

Congo’s presidency confirmed its delegates will also participate in the resumed talks. However, trust remains low. A new UN expert panel report seen by Reuters accuses Rwanda of exercising command and control over M23 during their military advance earlier this year—claims Kigali flatly denies. A Rwandan spokesperson stated the report “misrepresents Rwanda’s longstanding security concerns,” especially regarding Hutu militias linked to the 1994 genocide.

Despite the tensions, Trump adviser Boulos said he remains “optimistic” that Tshisekedi and Kagame are genuinely committed to reaching a durable settlement.

Background: Resource-Rich, War-Weary

M23 now controls more territory than ever before in eastern Congo, following a swift military campaign that has displaced hundreds of thousands and claimed thousands of lives. The violence is rooted in decades of regional instability tied to the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide.

The renewed talks in Doha, if successful, could mark a rare breakthrough in one of Africa’s longest-running and most complex conflicts.