M23 Rebel Group Sends Delegation to Angola for Peace Talks

The M23 rebel group is sending a five-member delegation for peace talks in Luanda, Angola, with the Congolese government. Announced by President João Lourenço, these negotiations are crucial as they mark the first direct dialogue since November 2021. The M23 accuses the Congolese government of supporting militias against Tutsi communities. The upcoming talks may pave the way for a resolution to ongoing conflict and issues of governance in the DRC.

The M23 rebel group has announced the formation of a delegation comprising five members who will travel to Luanda, Angola, for direct peace talks with the Congolese government. The negotiations are set to take place on Tuesday, March 18, as stated by M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, who indicated that the representatives will depart for Luanda on Monday.

On March 11, Angolan President João Lourenço facilitated the announcement of these talks following discussions with his Congolese counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi. Subsequently, on March 13, M23 political leader Bertrand Bisimwa received an invitation to participate in the negotiations. Reports from Congolese media reveal that Deputy Prime Minister Jean Pierre Bemba will lead the Congolese delegation during these discussions, marking the first direct engagement between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government since the conflict’s resurgence in November 2021.

These upcoming negotiations signify a pivotal moment in the conflict, as President Tshisekedi previously resisted direct dialogue with the M23 rebels, who are part of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC). Kanyuka expressed gratitude towards President Lourenço for his unwavering efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The M23 rebels have accused the Congolese government of aiding militias carrying out ethnic cleansing against Congolese Tutsi communities. Among these militias is the FDLR, which operates alongside the Congolese army. Regional and international calls for peace talks have increased since the rebels captured two significant cities in eastern DRC earlier this year, fighting for the protection of Tutsi communities historically targeted by genocidal militias.

Additionally, the M23 rebels are campaigning against long-standing issues of corruption and mismanagement within the DRC. After nearly a decade of inactivity, the M23 resumed hostilities in 2021 and successfully captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, in January, followed by Bukavu in February. João Lourenço has been acting as a mediator in the Luanda Peace Process since mid-2022. However, the initiative faltered when the Congolese government declined to agree to a proposed framework that would enable direct negotiations with the M23 by December 2024.

In conclusion, the upcoming peace talks in Luanda represent a significant milestone in the ongoing conflict between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government. The involvement of Angola and President João Lourenço as a mediator underscores the urgency of resolving long-standing issues of governance and ethnic tensions in the region. As both parties prepare for negotiations, the international community remains watchful of the potential for lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw