Peace talks between the DRC government and M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, will take place in Angola on March 18. The conflict has caused significant casualties and mass displacements since January 2025. Angola is mediating this situation, which includes discussions initiated by DRC President Tshisekedi and comments made by rebel leader Bertrand Bisimwa. The M23 has ties to ethnic Tutsi frustrations over discrimination and resource allocation in eastern Congo.
Peace negotiations between the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels, who are allegedly backed by Rwanda, are scheduled to occur in Angola on March 18. This conflict, which has been ongoing since January 2025, has resulted in significant loss of life and large-scale displacements, with thousands of people reported dead and hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes.
Angola has taken on the role of mediator in the escalating conflict in eastern Congo, particularly following the M23’s seizure of the strategic city of Goma in late January 2025 and the subsequent capture of Bukavu in February. The DRC government has reported at least 7,000 fatalities as a result of the violence, and the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs has indicated that over 600,000 individuals have been displaced since November 2024.
Recent discussions regarding potential negotiations involved DRC President Felix Tshisekedi visiting Angola on March 11. His spokeswoman, Tina Salama, confirmed that an invitation had been extended for negotiations. However, it remains uncertain whether President Tshisekedi will attend the talks. In a post on social media, M23 rebel leader Bertrand Bisimwa claimed to have compelled Tshisekedi to engage in negotiations, deeming it the “only civilized option for resolving the current crisis.”
The M23 rebels, also known as the March 23 Movement, arose in 2012 from former members of a prior rebel group, the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP). The group is primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis and was formed in response to alleged discrimination and competition for resources in the region. Despite a previously declared ceasefire, fighting has resumed in eastern DRC, with M23 insurgents and Rwandan troops capturing the city of Nyabibwe, located close to the South Kivu capital.
In summary, peace talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebels are set to take place in Angola amidst ongoing conflict attributed to both internal strife and alleged external support. The violence has resulted in a humanitarian crisis with numerous casualties and widespread displacement. The involvement of Angola as a mediator underscores the need for diplomatic resolution, while the fate of the negotiations remains uncertain regarding the participation of President Tshisekedi.
Original Source: unn.ua
