ADDIS ABABA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf has welcomed mediation efforts that have facilitated a meeting between leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

"The chairperson commends the statesmen of the DRC and Rwanda for their commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution of the crisis in eastern DRC," the AU Commission said in a statement issued Wednesday, one day after the meeting between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, under the auspices of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

"Their engagement reflects true leadership and a shared recognition that peace, security, and stability are indispensable for the prosperity of their nations and the wider Great Lakes region," Youssouf was quoted as saying in the statement.

The AUC chair acknowledged the reaffirmation by both leaders of their commitment to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" as agreed during the joint East African Community and Southern African Development Community summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last month.

The chairperson of the 55-member organization reiterated the AU's resolve in its support for African-led solutions to African challenges, as embodied in the Luanda and Nairobi processes.

The Doha discussions, held in a spirit of constructive engagement, align with these efforts and complement ongoing regional mechanisms, Youssouf said.

He urged all stakeholders to maintain the momentum generated in Doha and to work collectively toward the full implementation of agreed commitments.

The Doha meeting was the first between Kagame and Tshisekedi since March 23 Movement rebels intensified their offensive in the eastern DRC in recent months. Enditem

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