Congo M23 Rebels to Participate in Peace Talks in Angola

The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, will attend peace talks with the DRC government in Angola, marking a shift in negotiations. President Tshisekedi’s government will also send delegates, reversing its previous stance. Angola is mediating to reduce tensions and establish a ceasefire, amid significant violence in eastern Congo.

The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have announced their participation in upcoming peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government in Luanda, Angola. A five-member delegation is expected to depart on Monday at the request of Angolan authorities, according to Lawrence Kanyuka, a spokesperson for the M23-allied AFC rebel alliance.

In a notable shift, President Felix Tshisekedi’s office stated on Sunday that the Congolese government will also send representatives to the talks, contradicting its previous stance of refusing to negotiate with the M23 group. Angola has been actively mediating efforts to establish a sustained ceasefire and reduce tensions between Congo and Rwanda, which is accused by the U.N. of supplying arms and personnel to the M23 rebels.

Rwanda contends that its military presence in Congo is a defensive measure against hostile Congolese armies and militias. The ongoing conflict, deeply rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition for Congo’s extensive mineral resources, has intensified, with the M23 seizing territories previously outside their control this year, including large cities in eastern Congo.

According to the Congolese government, approximately 7,000 individuals have lost their lives in the conflict since January, and the United Nations humanitarian office has reported that over 600,000 people have been displaced due to the fighting since November.

The M23 rebels are set to engage in peace talks with the Congolese government, a significant decision following years of refusal to negotiate. Angola’s mediation efforts aim to foster a ceasefire amidst a complex conflict rooted in historical trauma and resource competition. The rising death toll and displacement underscore the urgency for a sustainable resolution to the crisis.

Original Source: theprint.in