Angola Mediates Direct Talks Between DRC Government and M23 Rebels

Angola is attempting to mediate talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebels following a meeting between DRC President Tshisekedi and Angolan President Lourenco. The DRC has previously resisted engaging directly with M23, which is accused of Rwandan support. Meanwhile, regional processes such as the Luanda and Nairobi processes aim to establish peace and address ongoing conflicts, despite their current impasses.

Angola is actively working to facilitate direct discussions between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group. This development follows a meeting earlier on March 13 between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Angolan President Joao Lourenco, which has raised hopes for a potential easing of hostilities in eastern DRC, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The DRC has thus far resisted engaging directly with the M23, which the United Nations alleges is backed by Rwanda, a claim the Rwandan government strongly refutes. Current peace mechanisms are stalled due to ongoing disputes among regional factions.

President Tshisekedi’s visit to Luanda aimed to rejuvenate the Luanda Process, a peace initiative supported by the African Union (AU) designed to manage tensions between Rwanda and the DRC. The DRC government has previously stated it will not negotiate with M23, which has gained control over significant territories in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu.

In previous remarks, President Tshisekedi emphasized, “Never, ever, as long as I am president of the DRC, will I have in front of me the delegation of the M23 or the AFC to negotiate.” His spokesperson, Tina Salama, acknowledged Angola’s efforts as a mediation approach and expressed that Kinshasa is awaiting implementation.

The Luanda Process has encountered obstacles since December, notably when a scheduled summit between Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame failed as Kagame did not attend. This resulted in Kigali accusing the DRC of avoiding direct negotiations with M23.

The DRC is also keen on reviving the Nairobi Process, backed by the East African Community (EAC) and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, to create a forum for dialogue with various armed groups operating under South Kivu.

Despite intentions to restart the Nairobi Process, it faces challenges as it reached an impasse. The DRC has excluded M23 from this dialogue due to its perceived association with foreign interests, primarily Rwanda. The conflict has historical roots that trace back to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Both Rwanda and the DRC have accused each other of supporting hostile rebel groups, causing concern over a potential escalation of violence in the region. The dangers posed by the ongoing conflict were highlighted by Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye’s warning regarding the spreading impact of war.

Amidst these tensions, several African leaders convened in February to discuss consolidating the Nairobi and Luanda processes into a unified strategy. Following this, the EAC and SADC appointed respected leaders as facilitators for the joint efforts.

However, Kinshasa is calling for alignment between the two processes to ensure they are managed at an equal organizational level under the AU. Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner noted the necessity for both processes, each targeting different groups, to receive equal importance.

Additionally, the SADC announced plans for an extraordinary summit to discuss security concerns in the DRC. This summit may address the ongoing military involvement of the SADC in eastern DRC, where forces from Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania have been collaborating with the DRC military in combating armed militias.

In summary, Angola is striving to mediate direct negotiations between the DRC government and the M23 rebel group in hopes of alleviating ongoing violence in eastern DRC. Despite previous resistance from Kinshasa to engage directly with M23, the situation remains fluid as regional dynamics change. The importance of revitalizing peace processes and fostering comprehensive engagement among all stakeholders is critical to preventing further escalations and achieving stability in the region.

Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz