• Qatar’s Emir visited Rwanda and the DRC as Doha deepened its mediation role in the conflict while expanding major economic commitments in both countries.
• The trip followed a framework deal in the Doha Process, linking political talks on the DRC crisis with Qatar’s growing investments and regional presence.
• Qatar advanced ties through mining, aviation, and infrastructure projects, reinforcing its influence as talks continued between the DRC government and M23.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, completed a three-day visit to Rwanda and then to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as discussions within the Doha Process continue to stabilize the Greater Kivu region. In Kinshasa, President Félix Tshisekedi welcomed the Emir’s involvement in mediation efforts between the government and the AFC/M23 coalition. In Kigali, Paul Kagame referred to exchanges described as productive with his “brother and friend,” the Emir, as both countries are engaged in distinct but related initiatives regarding regional security and economic cooperation.

This visit occurred a few days after the November 15, 2025, framework agreement. The document serves as a roadmap for continuing the process without resolving the core issues. It provides for exclusive reliance on negotiation to resolve the conflict, the establishment of a permanent ceasefire, the creation of a supervision mechanism, and the adoption of legislative measures required for its implementation.

It was signed by Sumbu Sita Mambu, the High Representative of President Tshisekedi; by Benjamin Mbonimpa on behalf of the AFC/M23; and by Mohammed al-Khulaifi on behalf of Qatar, as mediator and witness. Doha’s involvement also aligns with the work of the JSCM meeting held in Washington on November 19 and 20, during which the United States underscored the importance of coordinating the following steps, particularly those related to armed groups still active in the region.

An Economic Diplomacy Already Firmly Established

Alongside this diplomatic role, Qatar is pursuing an economic anchoring strategy in Central Africa. In the DRC, the September 2, 2025, visit of Sheikh Al-Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, a cousin of the Emir and head of Al Mansour Holding, resulted in a letter of investment intent delivered to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, covering a wide range of sectors for an announced amount of 21 billion dollars.

Several new commitments were formalized during the November 21 visit, including a protocol relating to visa exemptions for holders of official passports. The opening of the Qatari Embassy in Kinshasa in May 2025 confirms a long-term engagement strategy. The rapprochement was strengthened with Kinshasa’s inclusion in the Qatar Airways network in 2024 and with the Qatar Investment Authority’s acquisition of a stake in Ivanhoe Mining, a company involved in major mining projects in the DRC.

In Rwanda, Qatar’s economic presence is already established. Discussions launched in 2019 on a 49% stake by Qatar Airways in RwandAir are ongoing, even though no final agreement has yet been announced. The two airlines nevertheless cooperate on several fronts, including code-sharing and cargo operations. Qatar is also involved in the Bugesera International Airport project, a significant infrastructure for Kigali and for the country’s regional ambitions in air transport.

Taken together, these elements give the Emir’s visit a significance that goes beyond a protocol mission. It takes place at a moment when political discussions are progressing slowly and when external actors are seeking to define precise roles in steering the process.

The sequence links diplomatic initiatives and economic projects that reinforce each other, in a context where stabilization needs intersect with regional integration issues, particularly in the mining, logistics, and infrastructure sectors. The United States supports this dynamic as part of its own regional priorities and views Qatari involvement as complementary to its efforts in the region.

By advancing diplomatic progress, announcing investments, and strengthening its institutional presence, Qatar is consolidating its position with the two neighboring countries at a decisive moment. The visit of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani thus marks a step in the evolution of Doha’s role in the Great Lakes region, where ongoing political discussions and developing economic commitments tend to align within a shared logic of projection and cooperation.

Idriss Linge