Angola has announced that direct peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels will begin on March 18, aiming to mediate a ceasefire amid escalating tensions with Rwanda’s alleged support for the rebels. The DRC government has received the invitation but has not confirmed participation. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with thousands of casualties and displacements since January.
Angola has announced that direct peace negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels are set to commence in the Angolan capital on March 18. This information was disclosed by the Angolan presidency, stating that they have taken the initiative to mediate these talks. The Congolese presidency has only acknowledged receipt of the message thus far.
On Tuesday, Angola expressed its intention to mediate a sustainable ceasefire and mitigate tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, which is accused of supporting the M23 rebel group. However, Rwanda has refuted these claims. This effort comes as Congo’s government, previously hesitant to engage directly with M23, indicated appreciation for Angola’s initiative.
Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Felix Tshisekedi, confirmed on Wednesday that while the government has received Angola’s invitation, its participation remains unconfirmed. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa asserted on social media that the push for negotiations, considering it a civilized solution, resulted from pressure on Tshisekedi to engage in talks regarding the escalating crisis.
An extraordinary summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state will also address the situation in eastern DRC on Thursday. The virtual meeting will be presided over by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, focusing on clarifying the role of regional forces deployed in eastern Congo.
The conflict, which has seen M23 rebels capture the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu since January, is exacerbated by historical tensions stemming from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition for DRC’s significant mineral resources. Eastern Congo holds vast mineral reserves vital to global technology and renewable energy advances.
The consequences of the conflict have been severe, with the Congolese government reporting at least 7,000 fatalities and recent estimates indicating that over 600,000 individuals have been displaced since November, according to UN offices. Furthermore, Human Rights Watch has highlighted the troubling decrease in civic space in areas under M23 control, noting harassment and even assassinations of activists and journalists linked to Rwandan-backed rebels.
The ongoing instability also raises alarm about the potential for a broader regional conflict, with neighboring countries such as Uganda and Burundi having troops stationed in Eastern DRC, evoking memories of the devastating Congo wars of previous decades.
The anticipated peace talks on March 18 in Angola signal a potential shift in the dynamics between the DRC and M23 rebels amidst a backdrop of escalating violence and regional tensions. With thousands dead and hundreds of thousands displaced, the international community watches closely. The urgent need for resolution remains as regional powers remain involved, raising concerns about the possibility of a renewed large-scale conflict.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
