In a significant development towards resolving ongoing tensions, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is scheduled to engage in peace talks with the M23 rebel group on March 18 in Luanda, Angola. This initiative follows an escalation of conflict that began in January when the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized control of critical regions in the mineral-rich eastern Congo.
Angola’s Role as Mediator
According to a statement issued by the office of Angolan President João Lourenço, the peace negotiations will be held in Luanda, marking a pivotal moment in the peace process. Angola has taken on the role of mediator in this protracted conflict, which intensified in late January when M23 forces advanced to capture Goma, a strategic city in eastern Congo. Furthermore, in February, M23 extended its control by seizing Bukavu, the region’s second-largest city.
President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo was in Angola recently to discuss the prospects for these peace talks. In a public statement, Lourenço’s office confirmed that the delegations from both the Congolese government and the M23 rebels would start direct negotiations, emphasizing the importance of this diplomatic engagement.
Challenges in the Peace Process
The announcement of these talks comes on the heels of several previous attempts at dialogue that were thwarted, primarily due to the exclusion of M23 from discussions that were focused on the group’s Rwandan backers. The peace talks between Congo and Rwanda faced unexpected cancellations last December when Rwanda stipulated that any peace agreement would depend on direct dialogues between Congo and the M23, a condition that the Congolese government rebuffed.
The M23 group is one among approximately 100 armed factions competing for control in eastern Congo, an area rich in minerals and strategically located near the Rwandan border. This ongoing conflict has resulted in one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally, displacing over 7 million individuals. Reports indicate that the M23 rebels are receiving support from around 4,000 troops from Rwanda, as noted by UN experts. The rebels have even threatened to advance towards Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, which is over 1,500 kilometers away.
“We acknowledge and look forward to the implementation of this Angolan mediation initiative,” stated Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Tshisekedi, on social media.
In light of escalating violence, the UN Human Rights Council has recently initiated a commission to investigate severe human rights violations attributed to both the Congolese government and the M23 rebels, including grave allegations of sexual violence and extrajudicial killings.