Direct peace negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group are scheduled to commence in Angola’s capital, Luanda, on March 18.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Angola’s presidency, marking a critical step toward resolving the ongoing conflict that has destabilized eastern Congo.
Angola has been actively mediating efforts to establish a ceasefire and ease tensions between Congo and neighboring Rwanda. Rwanda has faced accusations of supporting the Tutsi-led M23 rebels, though it has consistently denied these claims.
Despite Angola’s mediation efforts, Congo’s government has historically refused to engage in direct talks with the M23.
On Tuesday, the government acknowledged Angola’s initiative but stopped short of confirming its participation. Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Felix Tshisekedi, confirmed that Congo had received Angola’s invitation but did not disclose whether they would attend.
Meanwhile, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa took to social media platform X, expressing confidence that the rebels had compelled Tshisekedi to the negotiating table.
He described the proposed talks as “the only civilised option to resolve the current crisis,” which has significantly escalated since January.
The M23 has captured two of eastern Congo’s largest cities in recent months, intensifying the long-standing conflict rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the battle for Congo’s abundant mineral resources. The conflict has led to the deaths of at least 7,000 people since January, with an estimated 600,000 displaced since November, according to the United Nations’ humanitarian affairs office.
The region remains volatile, with Congo’s neighbors, including South Africa, Burundi, and Uganda, maintaining military presence in the east.
This has fueled fears of a broader regional conflict reminiscent of the Congo wars in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which claimed millions of lives.
