Nigeria, May 13 -- After months of diplomatic impasse and military advances of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a diplomatic breakthrough occurred in April.

First, under the auspices of Qatar, the DRC and AFC/M23 jointly committed to work towards a ceasefire. Second, foreign ministers from Rwanda and DRC signed a declaration of principles in the United States (US), signalling renewed bilateral dialogue.

Caution is necessary given the repeated failure of past commitments. But it is important to note the absence of African actors from these developments. It is mainly US and European sanctions and Washington's diplomatic engagement that seem to have curbed AFC/M23's ad...