DRC and M23 Rebels Set for Direct Peace Talks in Angola

The DRC government and M23 rebels will begin direct peace talks on March 18 in Angola, following the escalation of conflict since January. The negotiations aim to address the violence that has led to significant loss of life and displacement. With concerns about regional stability, the talks are seen as crucial in navigating the complex political landscape of Eastern Congo.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels are set to initiate direct talks on March 18, as confirmed by the mediator, Angola. A spokesperson for DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi announced that the government received an invitation to participate in these discussions, but did not confirm its attendance. Angola has a history of mediating in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, particularly as tensions have escalated since January when M23 captured Goma and later Bukavu.

The conflict is deeply rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the competition for control over DRC’s extensive mineral wealth. While Rwanda denies supporting the M23, President Tshisekedi’s government is grappling with a crisis that has reportedly claimed at least 7,000 lives since the beginning of the year. Approximately 80,000 people have fled DRC amid the unrest, with many finding refuge in neighboring Burundi.

M23, one of numerous armed groups in eastern Congo, seeks control over valuable resources such as coltan, cobalt, copper, and lithium. The increased military presence of neighboring countries, including South Africa, Burundi, and Uganda in eastern Congo, has raised concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict reminiscent of the devastating Congo wars in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The upcoming direct talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebels, mediated by Angola, highlight the ongoing attempts to resolve a conflict that has significantly affected the region. Despite the challenging circumstances and the denial of external support for M23 by Rwanda, the negotiations represent a pivotal moment in addressing the humanitarian crisis and the struggle for control over valuable resources in eastern DRC. The situation remains precarious, with the risk of escalating violence in the region.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com