Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe praised Qatar’s mediation efforts in resolving tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, describing the recent talks held in Doha as a major step toward peace in eastern Congo.
Speaking to Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council meetings in Addis Ababa, Nduhungirehe said the March 18 meeting between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in Doha marked substantial progress and laid the groundwork for future peace talks.
“These are the first steps toward peace,” he said, commending Qatar’s diplomatic role and reaffirming Rwanda’s full support for Doha’s efforts.
The foreign minister also highlighted the deepening bilateral ties between Rwanda and Qatar, describing the relationship as “excellent.” He pointed to ongoing Qatari investments, including in the new Bugesera International Airport near Kigali, and the strategic partnership with Qatar Airways.
On external pressures, Nduhungirehe reiterated Rwanda’s rejection of any foreign threats or coercion. He criticized Western sanctions imposed on Rwanda, calling them ineffective and counterproductive to peace efforts. “These measures only embolden the Congolese government and obstruct political resolution,” he said.
“Rwanda will not yield to political blackmail and will continue to protect its national interests,” he added.
The minister confirmed that the Doha meetings have since led to technical follow-up sessions between the two governments, along with talks involving representatives from the M23 rebel group — developments he said injected “real momentum” into the peace process.
In a separate meeting, Nduhungirehe held bilateral talks with Djibouti’s new foreign minister, Abdulkader Hassan, marking Hassan’s first appearance at the African Union Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Both sides expressed satisfaction with their growing cooperation and agreed to strengthen joint efforts on regional challenges.
Nduhungirehe also revealed that Djibouti’s former top diplomat, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, had assumed the presidency of the African Union Commission. A joint ministerial committee meeting between Rwanda and Djibouti is scheduled for next month, he said, adding that Rwanda is prioritizing stronger bilateral cooperation with Djibouti through this mechanism.
