President Félix Thiskedi and his Rwandan country Paulpart Paul Paul Kagame called for an “immediate ceasefire” by the eastern Congo doctors after they had direct Al-Hadts in Qatar.

This is the first time that two leaders have launched an offensive in the region since Rwanda supported the M23 rebels, with authorities saying 7,000 people have been killed since January.

It is unclear whether the M23 will pay attention to the ceasefire call after the rebels refused to attend peace talks in Angola on Tuesday.

The Congolese doctor accused Rwanda of arming the M23 and sent troops to support the rebels in the conflict. Although both the United Nations and the United States claim are denied by Rwanda for supporting M23.

Rwanda said its troops were in self-defense operations against Congolese soldiers and allied militias. The Congolese doctor also accused Rwanda of illegally using its mineral deposits in the eastern part of the country, which Rwanda also denied.

In December last year, peace talks led by Angola collapsed after Rwanda asked the Congolese doctor to have a direct dialogue with M23.

The rebel group then quickly promoted over the past two months, controlling two major cities – Goma and Bukavo.

According to a joint statement issued by the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the two African presidents reiterated their commitment to a “direct and unconditional” ceasefire, but it is not clear how it can be implemented or monitored.

It added: “The head of state subsequently agreed to continue the discussions that began in Doha to establish a foundation for lasting peace.”

The meeting surprised many leaders, as the two leaders seemed to have no compromise on the frequent exchange of barbs in public.

During talks in the Katari capital of Rwanda’s President A separate statement that insists on direct dialogue Between the Congo Doctor and M23, it is “the key to resolving the root causes of the conflict”.

President Kagame said his belief is that “all parties work together and things can move forward faster”.

Congo’s Presidential Spokesperson Tina Salama On X, negotiations begin Emir, described by Katar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, is “a strategic allies of two (African) countries.”

The Congolese government said in a presidential statement that the meeting marked the first step towards the foundation of lasting peace in the East, suggesting further negotiations.

The two leaders met after previous attempts to bring together the government of the Congolese Doctor and the M23 rebels to a failed peace talks. The rebels withdrew on Monday after the EU announced sanctions on its leadership.