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Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The pledge was made during a coordination and planning meeting in Gaborone, Botswana, involving the African Union (AU) Panel of Facilitators and the Independent Joint Secretariat, which are tasked with preparing an implementation plan for the AU-led peace process in eastern DRC.
Qatar was represented by the Director of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ali bin Ghanem Al Hajri, alongside Qatar’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Saad bin Mubarak Al Nuaimi, and Abdullah bin Hamad Al Nuaimi, an adviser at the Office of the Minister of State.
Addressing the meeting, Al Hajri reaffirmed Doha’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to advance efforts to end the conflict.
He said Qatar “would continue working with all parties in close coordination with the United States of America and the Togolese Republic, acting as the African Union’s mediator, to map out solutions to the conflict.”
The comments reflect Qatar’s increasing diplomatic involvement in trying to resolve the violence in eastern DRC, where conflicts with the M23 rebel group and other armed groups have caused millions to flee and increased tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.
Al Hajri outlined progress made under the Doha track, including “the activation of a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism,” continued cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross “on a detainee exchange mechanism,” and “ongoing negotiations on the remaining protocols under the Doha framework.”
He cautioned, however, that resolving the conflict would require sustained commitment from all stakeholders because of its complexity.
According to Al Hajri, the peace process is “comprehensive and complex,” encompassing “humanitarian, political, security, economic and social dimensions.”
He stressed that achieving a lasting settlement “would require patience, gradual progress and the ownership of all parties involved.”
The Qatari official also emphasised the African Union’s leading role in mediation, arguing that the continental body is uniquely positioned to steer negotiations and oversee implementation.
Qatar further reaffirmed its support for a negotiated settlement, insisting that diplomacy remains the only sustainable solution to the conflict.
The Gulf state said it remains committed to working with regional and international partners “to help achieve lasting peace,” stressing that “dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving conflicts and securing long-term stability.”
The meeting in Botswana forms part of ongoing efforts to harmonise multiple regional peace initiatives, including the AU-led process and the Doha talks, following renewed international efforts to end decades of instability in eastern DRC.
The conflict, fuelled by armed groups competing for influence and control of the mineral-rich region, has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and remains a major security challenge for the Great Lakes region.
Qatar Reaffirms Support for Eastern DRC Peace Efforts During Gaborone Talks
Gaborone | July 26, 2026
The State of Qatar has reiterated its support for peace efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during high-profile talks in Botswana aimed at advancing… pic.twitter.com/5y8TWGKpvy
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) July 26, 2026
