The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, has welcomed the outcomes of the trilateral meeting held in Doha, Qatar, on March 18, 2025.
The talks brought together President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), under the mediation of Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Youssouf commended the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC for their commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis in eastern DRC. He highlighted their engagement as a demonstration of true leadership and a recognition that peace, security, and stability are essential for the prosperity of both nations and the wider Great Lakes region.
The AU Chairperson also acknowledged the reaffirmation by both leaders of their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as agreed during the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025.
The African Union reiterated its support for African-led solutions to conflicts, emphasizing that the Doha discussions align with existing regional peace efforts, including the Luanda and Nairobi processes.
Youssouf stressed the importance of continued coordination between the AU, regional economic communities, and international partners to foster sustainable peace.
Expressing gratitude to Qatar for its role in facilitating the dialogue, the AU Chairperson praised Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s efforts in promoting confidence-building between Rwanda and the DRC.
The AU called on all stakeholders to sustain the momentum generated in Doha and work collectively toward implementing the agreed commitments. The AUC reaffirmed its readiness to support these efforts in line with its mandate to promote peace, security, and stability across the continent.