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DR Congo, rebels plan on starting peace discussions
(MENAFN) Peace negotiations between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and the M23 rebel group are set to begin on March 18, with Angola mediating the talks in an effort to secure a long-term ceasefire, the Angolan government announced on Wednesday. The talks will take place in the capital, Luanda, following discussions between DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and Angolan President Joao Goncalves Lourenco, who also chairs the African Union.
The announcement comes after rising violence in eastern DR Congo, where M23 fighters captured key cities like Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, in January. The Health Ministry in Kinshasa reported over 8,500 deaths this year due to the escalating conflict. DR Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim supported by some Western nations, but Rwanda has denied these allegations.
For months, DR Congo had refused to engage in peace talks with the rebels, and earlier mediation efforts by Angola were halted last December after Rwanda insisted that DR Congo negotiate directly with M23. Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka stated that the government would only engage in talks with Rwanda, which it considers the primary aggressor.
Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Tshisekedi, confirmed the invitation from Angola but did not yet confirm whether DR Congo would participate. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa expressed his support for dialogue as the only peaceful solution to the crisis, vowing to force President Tshisekedi to the negotiating table.
In the background, the United States is reportedly exploring an agreement with DR Congo for access to the country's natural resources in exchange for security assistance amid the ongoing conflict.
The announcement comes after rising violence in eastern DR Congo, where M23 fighters captured key cities like Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, in January. The Health Ministry in Kinshasa reported over 8,500 deaths this year due to the escalating conflict. DR Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim supported by some Western nations, but Rwanda has denied these allegations.
For months, DR Congo had refused to engage in peace talks with the rebels, and earlier mediation efforts by Angola were halted last December after Rwanda insisted that DR Congo negotiate directly with M23. Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka stated that the government would only engage in talks with Rwanda, which it considers the primary aggressor.
Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Tshisekedi, confirmed the invitation from Angola but did not yet confirm whether DR Congo would participate. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa expressed his support for dialogue as the only peaceful solution to the crisis, vowing to force President Tshisekedi to the negotiating table.
In the background, the United States is reportedly exploring an agreement with DR Congo for access to the country's natural resources in exchange for security assistance amid the ongoing conflict.
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