The M23 rebels are sending a delegation to Luanda, Angola for peace talks with the DRC government, scheduled for March 18. This marks the first direct engagement since the conflict began in November 2021. President João Lourenço of Angola is mediating the talks, following previous efforts that have stalled due to the Congolese government’s refusal to negotiate. The M23 is fighting against ethnic cleansing and corruption within the DRC.
The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23 rebels have declared their intention to dispatch a delegation of five members to Luanda, Angola, for peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government, set for March 18. M23 spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, confirmed that the delegation will depart for Angola on the preceding Monday.
Angolan President, João Lourenço, announced the upcoming negotiations for March 11 following discussions with Congolese President, Félix Tshisekedi. Following this, M23 political leader, Bertrand Bisimwa, received an invitation to participate in the dialogues on March 13. Reports indicate that Deputy Prime Minister, Jean Pierre Bemba, will head the Congolese contingent during the talks, marking the first direct discussions between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government since the conflict’s ignition in November 2021.
These discussions represent a pivotal moment in the conflict, as President Tshisekedi had previously rebuffed direct engagement with the M23 group, which is part of the AFC alliance. Kanyuka expressed the M23’s gratitude to President Lourenço for his persistent efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the ongoing DRC conflict. Furthermore, the M23 has alleged that the Congolese government supports militias responsible for ethnic cleansing against Congolese Tutsi.
Among the groups mentioned is the FDLR, which collaborates with the Congolese army coalition. Recent regional and international calls for negotiations have surfaced, particularly after M23 seized control of two vital cities in eastern DRC in early 2023. The rebels advocate for the safety of persecuted Congolese Tutsi communities and fight against entrenched issues of corruption and misgovernance prevalent in the DRC. M23’s recent resurgence in conflict began in 2021, following several years of dormancy, with significant territorial gains such as Goma and Bukavu earlier this year.
Since mid-2022, President Lourenço has taken on the role of mediator in the Luanda Peace Process concerning the DRC. However, efforts to improve relations between Rwanda and the DRC faltered when the Congolese government declined to sign a crucial agreement in December 2024, which would have facilitated direct talks with M23.
In summary, the impending peace talks in Luanda represent a crucial effort to address a longstanding conflict involving the AFC/M23 rebels and the Congolese government. This negotiation process, initiated by Angolan President João Lourenço, aims to resolve deep-rooted issues, including ethnic cleansing allegations and corruption in the DRC. The engagement will mark the first direct interactions between the conflicting parties since the onset of violence in late 2021, potentially paving the way for a more stable future.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
