Doha talks kick off as Togo steps up in African peace mission

The United States is pushing for a landmark peace accord between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to be signed at the White House in the coming months, alongside major mineral investment deals worth billions of dollars.

According to President Donald Trump's senior Africa advisor, Massad Boulos, the peace deal would coincide with separate bilateral agreements unlocking U.S. and Western investments in mining and infrastructure across both countries.

As part of the peace process, discussions are taking place this Friday in Doha, Qatar, where delegations from both Rwanda and the DRC are expected to submit draft agreements. These talks are a follow-up to diplomatic efforts launched in Washington last week.

A key figure in the process is Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, who has been appointed by the African Union as mediator. Togo now sits alongside the U.S., Qatar, and France on the follow-up committee monitoring progress toward a final accord.

Before the deal is signed, the U.S. expects Rwanda to withdraw its troops from eastern Congo and end its support for M23 rebels, while Congo is urged to address Rwanda's security concerns regarding FDLR militias.

A high-level meeting is scheduled in Washington in mid-May to finalize the terms of the peace accord.