Description: The M23 rebels and representatives from DRC’s government have reportedly engaged in private negotiations mediated by Qatar. Officials from both sides met in Doha where the seizure of violence in the eastern parts of the DRC was heavily discussed. M23 rebels have overtaken significant strategic cities in east DRC, which were rich with rare earth metals in violent confrontations with DRC’s military. The negotiations in Doha have apparently laid the groundwork for the upcoming direct public negotiations set to be held on 09 Apr. M23 rebels in the private meetings have allegedly agreed on refraining control over Walikale to the DRC’s military as a show of good faith going forward. The negotiations represent the most significant development towards peace in a conflict that has plundered the DRC and threatened to cause a widespread war in the region as influence from Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda was also constantly present.
Impact: Doha’s private negotiations signal political and diplomatic will from the opposing sides to approach the upcoming negotiations on an even keel. M23’s withdrawal from Walikale showed readiness from the rebel group to negotiate with DRC government in what was labeled as the most significant development so far in the war. The rebels started the military confrontation with the DRC government in 2012 under the pretext of protecting the rights and living conditions of the Tutsi minority group. Ever since, the conflict has unraveled into a regional power struggle as DRC has large deposits of rare earth minerals, resources which global powers currently fight over. The resolution of the war would be impacted by several factors as the outcome of the negotiations would determine access to the valuable deposits. China’s growing soft power influence in the country, through investments and business presence, was recently countered by the US which have publicly declared their interest in DRC’s mineral reserves.