KIGALI, Rwanda

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his counterpart Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi on Wednesday expressed optimism that their talks could lead to progress toward attaining lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, following talks held in Doha, Qatar.

This came following Tuesday’s peace talks between the two leaders aimed at addressing the conflict in eastern Congo where M23 rebels are battling government forces.

The talks were brokered by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Rwandan “President Kagame expressed his belief that with all parties working together, things can move forward faster,” his office said in a statement on X.

“He thanked His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his support towards constructive dialogue and tangible solutions to achieve durable peace in DRC and the region.”

The statement added that the leaders also discussed the urgent need for direct political dialogue with the Alliance Fleuve Congo, a rebel alliance that includes M23 rebels (AFC/M23), as key to addressing the root causes of the conflict in eastern Congo.

The Congolese presidency, in a statement on Wednesday, said the two leaders agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in eastern Congo, “marking a first step toward establishing a foundation for lasting peace in the region.”

Tshisekedi, together with his Rwandan counterpart, under the auspices of their host, agreed to continue discussions toward a lasting settlement aimed at restoring the territorial integrity of the DRC, stabilizing the region, and ending the severe violence perpetrated by the M23/AFC in North and South Kivu, it said.

The meeting reiterated the leaders’ support for regional efforts led by the East African Community and Southern African Development Community blocs’ process as the primary mechanism toward a sustainable solution to the conflict in Congo.

Direct talks between the Congolese government and M23 rebels, scheduled for Tuesday in Angola and to be brokered by President Joao Lourenco, the African Union peace mediator for the conflict in Congo, were aborted due to unforeseen circumstances, Angola’s Foreign Ministry said.

The M23 rebels have intensified their offensive in eastern Congo since December, capturing the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu.

Congo and Western countries accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, however, Rwanda has denied the allegations.