The DRC and M23 rebels are set to begin direct peace negotiations on March 18 in Luanda, Angola. Angolan President Joao Lourenco confirmed the scheduled talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict that has resulted in significant casualties and forced displacements. The negotiations represent an important step in addressing long-standing tensions exacerbated by foreign involvement and resource struggles.
The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels are set to engage in direct peace negotiations facilitated by Angola. These discussions will commence on March 18 in Luanda, as confirmed by a statement from Angolan President Joao Lourenco’s office. The DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi received an invitation for the talks, as reported by his spokesperson to the Reuters news agency.
Angola has taken on the role of mediator in the ongoing conflict that escalated when M23 gained control of the strategically significant city of Goma in January. In February, they captured Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo. Although Rwanda denies allegations of its support for the M23, the conflict’s roots trace back to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the fight over DRC’s extensive mineral wealth.
President Tshisekedi was in Angola recently to explore the potential discussions. His spokesperson, Tina Salama, confirmed the receipt of the invitation without disclosing the government’s decision regarding its participation. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa expressed that the negotiations are a necessary resolution, characterizing them as “the only civilized option to resolve the current crisis that has lasted for decades.”
Tragically, the ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 7,000 individuals since January. The United Nations refugee agency reported last week that nearly 80,000 people have fled the DRC due to violence, with 61,000 seeking refuge in Burundi alone. The M23 is one of numerous factions competing for control of eastern Congo, a region rich in essential minerals like coltan, cobalt, copper, and lithium.
The presence of military forces from neighboring nations such as South Africa, Burundi, and Uganda has raised concerns regarding a wider regional conflict reminiscent of the devastating Congo wars of the 1990s and early 2000s, which resulted in millions of casualties.
In conclusion, the upcoming peace talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebels mark a significant effort to address the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. With numerous factors at play, including foreign involvement and historical grievances, the outcome of these negotiations will be crucial in determining the region’s stability and potential for resolution. The humanitarian toll and escalation of violence underscore an urgent need for sustained diplomatic efforts.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
