4 days ago
Qatar to continue its support to DRC pact implementation
He reiterated that Qatar played a central role in facilitating the dialogue that led to the agreement, expressing full confidence in the willingness of both sides to follow through on their commitments. Qatar, he confirmed, would continue to support the implementation phase, which is expected to begin immediately.
Al Khulaifi also extended Qatar's gratitude to international and regional partners who played key roles in supporting the mediation process.
He singled out the African Union, represented by its Chairperson Mahmoud Ali; the Republic of Togo; and the United States, whose Special Envoy to Africa, Massad Boulos, was closely involved in the negotiations. Additional thanks were given to Rwanda, the UK, France, and the Netherlands-based Dialogue Group for their technical and diplomatic support.
'This achievement embodies Qatar's belief in mediation as a powerful diplomatic tool,' Al Khulaifi added. 'We are proud to have provided a neutral and constructive platform that allowed peace to become possible.'
Boulos, speaking on behalf of the US delegation, echoed that sentiment.
He hailed the agreement as a definitive end to one of the world's longest-running and deadliest conflicts, pointing out that the violence had taken the lives of more than six million people and displaced over eight million others. The Doha Declaration, he said, was not only a diplomatic win, but a humanitarian imperative. 'This is a historic day for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,' Boulos declared.
'We now have a final peace agreement that offers no path back to war—only a way forward to reconciliation, development, and national unity.'
He emphasised that what distinguishes the Doha Declaration from previous attempts is its actionable structure. The document includes a fixed timetable for the fulfilment of its provisions and addresses not only security matters but also the root causes of the conflict, such as marginalisation, economic disparity, and contested territorial control.
According to Boulos, it represents the first major African policy milestone of the current US administration.
He concluded with a congratulatory message to the Congolese people, describing the agreement as 'a new dawn for a nation long denied peace despite its immense potential.'
