The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group will begin direct peace talks in Luanda on March 18. The negotiations aim to end the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, Angola has announced.
The decision follows mediation efforts by Angolan President João Lourenço, the African Union’s appointed peace mediator. The announcement came a day after Kinshasa confirmed its readiness for direct talks, following President Félix Tshisekedi’s visit to Angola.
“After Angola’s mediation efforts, we confirm that delegations from the DRC government and the M23 will start peace talks on March 18 in Luanda,” the Angolan presidency stated.
Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Since December, the M23 rebels have expanded their offensive, capturing key cities, including Goma and Bukavu. Last week, they seized Nyabiondo, about 110 kilometers (68 miles) northwest of Goma in North Kivu province. The town fell after intense battles with the Congolese army and the pro-government Wazalendo militia.
The fighting has displaced thousands, forcing many to flee to nearby regions or neighboring countries, according to UN reports.
Regional and International Tensions
Tensions between DRC and Rwanda remain high. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of backing the M23 rebels, an allegation Rwanda denies. The conflict has worsened regional instability and drawn global concern.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will hold an emergency virtual summit on Thursday. The meeting will assess the security crisis in eastern Congo and discuss possible interventions.
The Luanda talks mark a critical step toward peace, but challenges remain in finding a lasting solution to the conflict.