The Democratic Republic of Congo will commence peace talks with the M23 rebel group on March 18 in Luanda, Angola. This development follows recent territorial advances by the rebels and ongoing humanitarian issues in the region. Angola’s President João Lourenço is mediating these discussions, which come after previous attempts that did not include M23.
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to engage in peace negotiations with the M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, as announced by Angola, the mediator. The discussions will commence on March 18 in Luanda, Angola’s capital, focusing on resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, marked by the rebels’ recent territorial gains.
Angola, under President João Lourenço, has been mediating this conflict, particularly escalating since late January when M23 captured the vital city of Goma, followed by Bukavu in February. President Félix Tshisekedi of Congo was in Angola prior to the announcement to explore peace prospects.
In a statement, Lourenço’s office remarked on the initiative, stating that both delegations would commence “direct peace negotiations.” The Congolese government did not provide immediate feedback regarding the talks. Spokesperson Tina Salama expressed optimism for the mediation initiatives via social media.
The upcoming negotiations come after several prior peace initiative attempts that excluded M23, instead focusing on listeners and Rwandan influences. The region is home to nearly 100 armed groups, with M23 alongside approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops involved in the ongoing disputes, contributing to a significant humanitarian crisis where over 7 million individuals have been displaced.
In summary, peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group will commence on March 18, facilitated by Angola. This initiative aims to address the escalating conflict in eastern Congo, which has led to significant humanitarian challenges. The ongoing involvement of international mediators and the active participation of both parties signal a potential, albeit complex, path towards resolution.
Original Source: apnews.com
