Angola is set to host peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels on 18 March. While the Congolese government has acknowledged the initiative, it has yet to confirm participation. The escalating conflict, deeply entwined with historical grievances and resource control, has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences and regional instability.
Angola has announced that direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels will commence on 18 March in the Angolan capital. The initiative, aimed at brokering a ceasefire and de-escalating tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, has been acknowledged by the Congolese presidency but has not yet confirmed participation. Notably, Rwanda is accused of supporting the Tutsi-led M23, a claim that it has denied.
Historically resistant to negotiations, the DRC government has recognized Angola’s effort, although the spokesperson for President Felix Tshisekedi, Tina Salama, did not confirm whether the government would engage in the talks. Meanwhile, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa expressed confidence in negotiations, labeling them as the “only civilised option to resolve the current crisis” which has escalated since January.
An extraordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on the situation in eastern DRC will take place via videoconference, chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe. The meeting aims to discuss the status of regional armed forces operating in the region amid significant territorial gains made by M23 rebels, who have captured key provincial capitals and are advancing in smaller localities.
The ongoing conflict is intricately linked to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the competition for access to Congo’s rich mineral wealth, including coltan, cobalt, copper, and lithium, vital for technological advancement and green energy. The DRC government reports at least 7,000 fatalities and over 600,000 displacements since the conflict intensified last November.
Human Rights Watch has raised alarms over the deteriorating civic space under M23 control, noting systematic pressures and assaults on civil society members and journalists, culminating in killings. The situation is not just confined to DRC, as neighboring countries such as Burundi, Uganda, and South Africa maintain military presence in the region, prompting fears of a larger conflict reminiscent of the devastating Congo wars of the previous decades.
In summary, the announcement of imminent peace talks brokered by Angola marks a critical step in addressing the ongoing conflict between the DRC and M23 rebels. With significant regional implications and the specter of past wars looming large, both local and international scrutiny is essential to monitor developments. The M23’s control over territory and the escalating humanitarian crisis highlight the urgent need for comprehensive dialogue and accountability for human rights violations.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
