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**New Mediation Efforts in Eastern DRC Must Prioritize Justice and Local Voices to Succeed**

**Goma, DRC** – As conflict flares anew in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, marked by M23’s recent advances, Qatar and the United States are stepping in as mediators, raising hopes for a fresh approach to peace. However, analysts warn that these efforts must break from the failures of past initiatives by prioritizing justice, accountability, and the inclusion of local voices.

Previous peace processes in the region have been undermined by a lack of credible enforcement mechanisms, exclusionary negotiations dominated by political elites, and a failure to address the root causes of the conflict, including land disputes, ethnic marginalization, and competition over natural resources. Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs have also fallen short, leaving former combatants without viable livelihoods and at risk of re-recruitment.

Experts argue that any new initiative must prioritize inclusive participation, ensuring the representation of civil society, grassroots communities, and particularly women, who are crucial for building sustainable peace. It is also essential to address the underlying drivers of instability by engaging with unresolved land disputes, ethnic marginalization, governance failures, and the socioeconomic reintegration of former combatants.

Furthermore, the international community, including Qatar and the United States, must commit to sustained diplomatic pressure and support mechanisms that can ensure compliance and respond decisively to breaches of agreements. Without this, the risk of relapse into violence remains high.

The involvement of Qatar and the United States, alongside African regional mechanisms, presents a rare opportunity to reset the approach to peacebuilding. By learning from past failures and committing to an inclusive, root cause oriented, and enforceable mediation framework, these efforts can move beyond temporary fixes and lay the foundation for a durable peace in eastern DRC.

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