Angola is facing mounting criticism over its stalled mediation efforts between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels, as Qatar unexpectedly managed to bring Presidents Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi together for direct talks in Doha.
The diplomatic breakthrough has left Angola, which has long positioned itself as the key mediator in the conflict, appearing sidelined and ineffective.
For years, Angola has led mediation efforts involving Rwanda, the DRC government, and regional actors, but the process has dragged on without producing tangible results.
Despite hosting multiple rounds of negotiations, the conflict in eastern DRC has continued unabated, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of backing M23, while Rwanda blames the Congolese government for working with FDLR, a group linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The surprise meeting in Doha has reportedly irked Angolan officials, who view Qatar’s successful mediation as an embarrassing diplomatic failure. Angolan Foreign Minister Tete António openly expressed his frustration, stating that he was “surprised” by Qatar’s ability to bring the two leaders together when Angola had failed to do so.
“All mediation initiatives are encouraging, but it is important that African problems have African solutions,” António said, subtly questioning Qatar’s role in brokering the talks.
Angola’s reaction highlights growing tensions over external influence in African conflicts. The country has prided itself on leading regional diplomacy, particularly through the Luanda Process, which aimed to resolve tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali. However, the lack of progress has fueled skepticism about Angola’s effectiveness, with some critics now calling its mediation efforts biased and unproductive.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s intervention has been widely praised for achieving what Angola could not. By securing a face-to-face dialogue between Kagame and Tshisekedi, Doha has positioned itself as a key player in the region’s peace efforts, potentially reshaping the diplomatic landscape.
As the situation unfolds, Angola’s credibility as a neutral mediator is increasingly being questioned. With Qatar stepping in and gaining influence, the pressure is now on Luanda to prove that its efforts can still yield meaningful results in resolving the long-standing crisis in eastern DRC.