The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have agreed to attend peace talks with the DRC government in Angola. This marks a shift from the DRC’s previous stance against negotiations. The escalated conflict has caused significant casualties and displacement, necessitating mediation efforts by Angola to achieve a ceasefire between the involved parties.
The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, confirmed their participation in peace talks with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) set to begin in Luanda, Angola. A five-member delegation intends to travel to the capital on Monday, as noted by Lawrence Kanyuka, a spokesperson for the allied AFC rebel group. This move follows a shift in stance from DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi, who announced that Kinshasa will also send representatives, departing from its previous refusal to negotiate with the rebels.
Angola’s mediation efforts aim to establish a lasting ceasefire and mitigate tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. There are accusations that Rwanda has been supplying arms and troops to support the M23, although Rwanda asserts that its military actions are defensive against the Congolese army and local militias. The longstanding conflict in eastern Congo has been exacerbated by issues stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide and competition for the region’s extensive mineral resources.
This year, the conflict has intensified, with the M23 capturing previously unoccupied territories, including major cities in eastern Congo. The DRC government reports that the violence has resulted in at least 7,000 fatalities since January. The U.N. humanitarian affairs office also reports that over 600,000 individuals have been displaced due to the ongoing fighting since November.
The upcoming peace talks in Angola mark a significant shift in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s approach to negotiations with the M23 rebels, following years of conflict fueled by external influences and resource control. With growing casualties and displacement, the international community awaits the outcomes of these discussions, which may pave the way for a potential resolution to the ongoing crisis in the region.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
