DR Congo and M23 rebels confirm participation in Angola peace talks

Both the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have confirmed their intention to engage in peace talks in Angola.

A delegation has been dispatched to Luanda, the capital of Angola, according to a M23 spokesperson on Monday. Since the start of this year’s major offensive, which has resulted in the death of many thousands, the rebel group has taken key locations of the mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to President Felix Tshisekedi’s spokesperson, a delegation from the DRC is currently in Luanda for the talks on Tuesday. Due to the conflict’s long-standing roots, Tshisekedi had previously refused to engage in direct negotiations with the rebel group.

According to M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, M23 has also sent a delegation to Luanda.

For many months, Angola has been attempting to broker a ceasefire. After Rwanda insisted on direct dialogue between the DRC and M23, which the Congolese government rejected, peace talks were called off late last year.

However, Luanda made it known last week that it would hold peace talks directly.

Bertrand Bisimwa, the M23 leader, claimed last week that Tshisekedi had been forced into a negotiating position by the rebels, stating that dialogue is the first step toward peace. Peace comes about more quickly when we talk.

Humanitarian crisis

Early this year, M23 rebels launched a lightning offensive and seize the key cities of Goma and Bukavu, escalating the conflict in the eastern DRC.

In the mineral-rich eastern DRC, close to the Rwandan border, about 100 armed groups have been fighting for a foothold. One of the most significant humanitarian crises in history has been brought on by the conflict.

Since the start of the year, 7, 000 people have reportedly died, compared to more than 7 million who have been displaced.

According to the United Nations, M23 has pledged to march to Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, and has about 4, 000 Rwandan soldiers supporting it.

Rwanda claims that its forces are defending Kigali against the Congolese army and militias.

The conflict, which has plagued the eastern DRC for decades, is rooted in the struggle for control of its vast mineral resources as well as its impact on Rwanda, which was the result of the genocide there in 1994.