The M23 rebels are sending a delegation to Luanda for peace negotiations with the DRC government initiated by Angolan President João Lourenço. This marks the first direct talks since conflict arose in November 2021, with aims to address issues concerning the persecution of Congolese Tutsi communities and governance concerns in the DRC.
The AFC/M23 rebels have officially announced the dispatch of a five-member delegation to Luanda, Angola, for direct negotiations with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, the delegation is scheduled to depart on Monday in preparation for talks slated for Tuesday, March 18.
The catalyst for these negotiations was an announcement made by Angolan President João Lourenço on March 11, following a meeting with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi. M23 political leader Bertrand Bisimwa received an invitation from President Lourenço on March 13. Reports indicate that Deputy Prime Minister Jean Pierre Bemba will lead the Congolese delegation to the Luanda talks.
Significantly, these negotiations mark the first direct conversations between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government since the onset of conflict in November 2021. This development is particularly impactful as President Tshisekedi had previously been reluctant to engage directly with the M23, which is part of the AFC.
Kanyuka expressed gratitude to President Lourenço for his fervent efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the DRC. The M23 has accused the DRC government of backing militias involved in ethnic cleansing against Congolese Tutsi communities, particularly naming the FDLR, an armed group allied with the Congolese army.
Following the M23’s capture of two significant cities in eastern DRC in early 2023, the international community has increasingly urged for talks. The M23 has been vocal about their mission to protect Congolese Tutsi communities from years of persecution and resist the ongoing corruption and governance issues in the DRC.
After a period of dormancy, the M23 resumed hostilities in 2021 and seized the city of Goma, as well as Bukavu, in early 2023. President Lourenço has been involved in mediating the Luanda Peace Process aimed at DR Congo since mid-2022. However, previous initiatives to foster dialogue between the DRC and M23 faced setbacks, notably in December 2024 when the Congolese government declined to endorse a proposed agreement.
In conclusion, the upcoming peace talks in Luanda represent a significant opportunity for direct negotiations between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government after years of conflict. With leadership from Presidents Lourenço and Tshisekedi, there is hope for a peaceful resolution. However, the historical grievances and complexities surrounding the conflict remain challenges that both sides will need to address.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
