The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to engage in peace talks in Angola regarding conflicts with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, as announced by the presidency. President Tshisekedi is contemplating a shift in his opposition to dialogue following military defeats. The M23 rebels also confirmed their participation and issued demands for negotiations.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced its intention to send a delegation to Angola for peace talks on Tuesday, aiming to address the ongoing conflict with Rwandan-backed rebels, known as M23. This decision was communicated by the presidency on Sunday. The Angolan government previously indicated that direct discussions between Congo and the M23 rebels would initiate in Luanda on March 18.
President Felix Tshisekedi, who has historically opposed dialogue with the M23 faction, is reconsidering his stance following recent military setbacks and diminishing support from regional allies. The spokesperson for the presidency, Tina Salama, stated that the composition of the delegation has yet to be determined.
The M23 rebels have confirmed their receipt of the invitation from Angola, as noted by their spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka on social media platform X. Following the announcement of the talks, the M23 issued a series of demands, including a request for President Tshisekedi to publicly affirm his commitment to direct negotiations with them.
In summary, the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to participate in peace talks in Angola aimed at addressing issues with the M23 rebels. The shift in President Tshisekedi’s approach marks a significant change in strategy after recent challenges, and the talks are expected to further define the future engagement between the Congolese government and the M23 faction.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
