Peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group, mediated by Angola, are set to begin on March 18 in Luanda, the Angolan president’s office announced on Wednesday. The negotiations aim to end the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, which has seen intensified fighting in recent months. The announcement came a day after Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi visited Luanda, where Kinshasa agreed to engage in direct discussions with the rebels.
Angolan President João Lourenço, acting as the African Union’s peace mediator, has facilitated the dialogue between the two sides. The conflict in eastern Congo has escalated since December, with M23 rebels capturing strategic locations, including Goma and Bukavu. Last week, the rebels seized Nyabiondo in North Kivu province after heavy clashes with government forces and pro-government militia Wazalendo. The fighting has displaced thousands of civilians, forcing many to flee to surrounding territories and neighboring countries, according to the United Nations.
The Congolese government and other regional actors accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, an allegation Kigali has consistently denied. Meanwhile, leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will hold an extraordinary virtual summit on Thursday to assess the security situation in Congo. The outcome of these peace talks could be crucial in determining the path forward for stability in the region.
