Congo’s government and the M23 rebel group will hold peace talks on March 18 under Angola’s mediation. The discussions will occur in Luanda following recent escalations in conflict exacerbated by Rwandan support for M23. Previous peace attempts had excluded M23, focusing instead on Rwanda’s role in the situation.
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel group are scheduled to engage in peace negotiations on March 18. This announcement was made by Angola, which is acting as the mediator for the talks. The negotiations will take place in Luanda, the Angolan capital, as stated by President João Lourenço’s office.
The conflict in eastern Congo has intensified, particularly since January, when M23, supported by Rwandan troops, captured significant towns including Goma and Bukavu. Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi visited Angola to explore the potential for peace talks following previously unsuccessful attempts that did not include M23, focusing instead on Rwanda’s involvement.
M23 is among roughly 100 armed factions in the mineral-rich eastern Congo, contributing to a humanitarian crisis that has displaced over 7 million people. Several reports indicate M23 is facilitated by around 4,000 Rwandan troops, with ambitions that extend as far as Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, over 1,000 miles away.
The upcoming peace talks on March 18 between the Congo government and the M23 rebel group, facilitated by Angola, represent a critical step towards addressing the escalating conflict in eastern Congo. This dialogue aims to pave the way for a resolution amid a backdrop of widespread displacement and humanitarian challenges, underscoring the importance of collaboration and dialogue in resolving complex regional conflicts.
Original Source: www.elpasoinc.com
