Angola is facilitating talks between the DRC government and M23 rebels, following DRC President Tshisekedi’s visit to Luanda. The DRC has resisted direct negotiations with M23, citing territorial disputes. Angola’s mediation aims to revive stalled peace processes and address the ongoing conflict, which poses risks of regional escalation due to historical tensions.
Angola is actively working to facilitate direct discussions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the M23 rebel group. This initiative follows DRC President Felix Tshisekedi’s recent visit to Luanda, aiming to ease ongoing tensions in the eastern DRC and prevent further escalation into a regional conflict.
Historically, the DRC has refrained from negotiating directly with the M23 due to its territorial gains in North and South Kivu provinces. Moreover, Tshisekedi has consistently maintained that engaging with the M23 or its affiliated group, the Congo River Alliance, remains unacceptable, setting a firm boundary against their participation in peace talks.
Despite the DRC government’s position, Angola’s push for dialogue has been viewed as a constructive mediation effort. Tshisekedi’s spokesperson stated that Kinshasa is awaiting the execution of Angola’s proposed mediation strategy. The Luanda Process, instrumental in addressing regional tensions, has been stalled since a summit aimed at discussing these issues was abruptly canceled last December.
In light of the ongoing conflict, the DRC is also inclined to enhance the Nairobi Process, an initiative led by the East African Community (EAC), which seeks to unify approaches toward various armed groups, including the M23. However, as noted by a spokesperson from the Nairobi Process, these discussions have also been hindered, with the DRC pulling M23 from this forum, characterizing the group as a front for foreign agendas, particularly Rwanda’s.
The long-standing conflict between the DRC and M23 stems from the historical backdrop of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, leading to persistent ethnic strife in the region. In this delicate framework, DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, while Rwanda alleges that the DRC collaborates with a Rwanda-based rebel group implicated in the historic atrocities.
The escalation of the conflict poses risks of broader regional instability, with warnings from regional leaders about the potential for widespread war. African regional bodies continue to advocate for indigenous solutions to their issues, yet differing perspectives on the Nairobi and Luanda processes persist within the region, complicating peace efforts.
A recent summit held in February saw African leaders discussing the integration of the Luanda and Nairobi processes, assigning former leaders to facilitate a coordinated approach. Nonetheless, the DRC is demanding that both processes be aligned under the African Union’s authority, amplifying the level of coordination required to address the divergent objectives of these two initiatives.
Amid these discussions, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) plans to convene an extraordinary summit to review the security situation in the DRC, which may include deliberations on the withdrawal of its military contingents from eastern DRC. The collaborative efforts between SADC and the DRC military aim to combat the armed factions troubling the region.
Angola’s initiative to mediate direct talks aims to alleviate tensions between the DRC and the M23 rebel group, a process complicated by historical grievances and the strategic interests of regional powers. The future of the peace efforts, particularly the Luanda and Nairobi processes, depends on effective coordination and the willingness of all parties involved to engage in dialogue. Continuous efforts by African regional groups underscore the importance of local solutions in resolving complex conflicts.
Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz
