In a new achievement for Qatari diplomacy and its efforts for peace and stability in Africa, authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo released 15 detainees and handed them over to the Congo River Alliance (M23 Movement), in accordance with the mechanism for the release of detainees signed in Doha last September as part of the Doha Peace Process.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) transported the detainees to the Alliance. The detainees left the government-controlled city of Beni in a convoy last Thursday evening, traveled through Uganda, and were handed over to the Alliance in the Rutshuru area in the east of the country.
In this context, Stephanie Eller, head of ICRC operations in Kinshasa, expressed her hope that this operation would "bring relief to families who have been separated from their loved ones for a long time."
The State of Qatar welcomed this step, affirming that the release of the detainees represents a significant move towards strengthening trust between the parties and creating favorable conditions for further progress towards peaceful and sustainable solutions. This contributes to supporting efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Doha also commended the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in implementing the mechanism for the release, safe transfer, and handover of detainees in accordance with humanitarian principles, as well as the efforts of partners supporting the peace process.
On this occasion, the State of Qatar reiterated its commitment to continuing its efforts to facilitate dialogue between the concerned parties, based on its steadfast approach to supporting peaceful solutions to conflicts and promoting regional security and stability. It expressed its hope that this step will serve as an impetus for further measures that enhance confidence-building between the parties and fulfill the aspirations of the Congolese people for peace, development, and prosperity.
Qatar's ongoing diplomatic efforts in mediation along this path are an extension of its pivotal role, guided by its wise leadership, as a trusted peacemaker regionally and globally, a role that has been translated into historic initiatives and agreements in various parts of the world.
In follow-up to this matter, the State of Qatar participated on July 26th in the coordination and planning meeting of the High-Level Facilitators Group and the Independent Joint Secretariat for the preparation of an executive action plan for the peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The meeting was held in Gaborone, Republic of Botswana. The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, Director of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Mubarak Al-Nuaimi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, and Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Nuaimi, Advisor at the Office of the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his address to the meeting, His Excellency the Director of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar’s unwavering commitment to supporting peace efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He noted Qatar’s continued work with relevant parties, in close coordination with the United States of America and the Republic of Togo, in its capacity as the African Union mediator, in a manner that strengthens and supports the African-led process.
He also reviewed the most prominent ongoing efforts within the Doha framework, particularly the completion of the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, in parallel with continued cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross on the prisoner exchange mechanism, as well as the completion of negotiations related to the remaining protocols within the Doha framework. He reaffirmed the State of Qatar's continued support for all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace, and its commitment to working with regional and international partners with patience and responsibility, based on its belief that dialogue remains the only way to resolve conflicts and achieve sustainable stability.
Qatari mediation efforts have succeeded in defusing numerous crises around the world, and these efforts have spanned various fields, including ceasefires between conflicting parties, the restoration of diplomatic relations, the release of hostages and prisoner exchanges, support for national dialogues and the resolution of border disputes, and the strengthening of humanitarian efforts at both the regional and international levels.
Mediation in resolving disputes between conflicting parties through peaceful diplomatic means is a key component of Qatar's foreign policy. Qatar remains committed to this approach in its efforts to resolve current crises worldwide, for the benefit of all humanity. Qatari mediation represents a new style of diplomacy, characterized by the patience necessary to build trust, the flexibility to adapt to rapidly evolving crises, and the credibility to engage with all parties even when communication channels break down.
Qatar views mediation not merely as a foreign policy tool, but as a reflection of a deeply rooted constitutional conviction. Article 7 of the Qatari Constitution affirms that the State's foreign policy is based on promoting international peace and security through peaceful means of dispute resolution.
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