Joshua Walker: Conflict and Peace in the Eastern DRC

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan speaks with Dr. Joshua Walker about the current conflict and peace dynamics in the Eastern DRC. Following M23’s capture of Goma and Bukavu in late January 2025, Dr. Walker starts by describing the state of the current peace processes. Highlighting the role and leverage of Qatar and the US, Dr. Walker compares their efforts with the shortcomings of past mediation efforts. He then explains how domestic politics in the DRC and regional dynamics have been influencing the M23 conflict, and their role in the current peace processes. From there, he offers his thoughts on the role that the Eastern DRC's richness in natural resources has been playing in the conflict, questioning the dominant narrative whereby the conflict is exclusively driven by natural resources.