The DRC and M23 rebels will initiate direct peace talks in Angola on March 18. This decision follows rising tensions within DRC, especially after M23 captured key cities. While Rwanda refutes allegations of support for M23, the humanitarian situation deteriorates, with tens of thousands displaced. Concerns remain high regarding regional stability as neighboring nations deploy troops in the area.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels will commence direct peace negotiations next week, as announced by the mediator, Angola. According to a statement from President Joao Lourenco’s office, discussions are set to begin on March 18 in Luanda, following an invitation extended to the DRC government.
Given the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, which has intensified since January when M23 captured the significant city of Goma, these talks are deemed crucial. Following this, they also took control of Bukavu, the country’s second-largest city. Angola has previously facilitated mediation in this ongoing crisis.
Rwanda has denied allegations of supporting the M23 rebels, despite underlying tensions rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and competition for DRC’s extensive mineral wealth. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi discussed the potential for these talks while in Angola recently. However, the government has not yet confirmed its participation.
M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa asserted that the rebels compelled Tshisekedi to engage in dialogue, branding it as the only rational approach to address the entrenched crisis. The DRC government has reported over 7,000 fatalities since the beginning of the conflict.
Additionally, recent reports from the United Nations refugee agency indicate that approximately 80,000 individuals have fled DRC due to the violence. Many have sought refuge in neighboring Burundi, with 61,000 arrivals since January alone. M23 is among numerous armed factions competing for control over the region’s valuable resources such as coltan, cobalt, copper, and lithium.
The increasing military presence of DRC’s neighboring countries—including South Africa, Burundi, and Uganda—contributes to apprehensions regarding a potential resurgence of widespread regional conflict, reminiscent of the catastrophic Congo wars in the 1990s and early 2000s that resulted in millions of deaths.
The DRC and M23 rebels are set to begin peace talks next week in Angola, amidst escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region. While the invitation has been extended, DRC’s participation remains uncertain. The ongoing conflict continues to inflict severe casualties and displace thousands, raising alarms about a potential regional war. These discussions are seen as a crucial step towards resolving the long-standing crisis affecting the DRC.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
