Direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will commence on March 18 in Angola. This initiative aims to broker a ceasefire amidst increasing hostilities, with claims of Rwandan support for M23, which Rwanda denies. The humanitarian toll has been significant, with thousands reported dead since January and many displaced. Concerns over potential regional conflict persist as various neighboring nations maintain military presence in the area.
On March 18, direct peace negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels are set to commence in Angola’s capital, as announced by Angola’s presidency on Wednesday. Angola has been actively pursuing a lasting ceasefire and efforts to ease tensions between Congo and Rwanda, the latter accused of supporting the Tutsi-led M23, a claim Rwanda denies.
Angola’s commitment to facilitating these talks was articulated on Tuesday, following Congo’s government’s prior resistance to engage with M23. Nevertheless, the Congo administration acknowledged the Angolan initiative without formally agreeing to participate.
On Wednesday, Tina Salama, the spokesperson for President Felix Tshisekedi, indicated that the Congolese government acknowledged receiving an invitation from Angola; however, it has not yet confirmed its attendance at the talks. M23’s leader, Bertrand Bisimwa, expressed confidence, suggesting that the negotiations were a necessary step to address the escalating crisis, which has intensified since January.
The conflicts in eastern Congo have seen M23 seize control of the region’s two largest cities since January, amidst a backdrop of violence stemming from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and disputes over rich mineral resources. According to government reports, approximately 7,000 individuals have perished since January, and over 600,000 have been displaced due to the ongoing violence, as reported by the UN humanitarian affairs office.
Neighboring nations such as South Africa, Burundi, and Uganda maintain troop deployments in eastern Congo, heightening concerns of a potential regional conflict reminiscent of the devastating Congo wars of the 1990s and early 2000s, which resulted in millions of fatalities. The eastern region is particularly significant, as it is rich in strategic minerals like coltan, cobalt, copper, and lithium, which are crucial for global technological advancements and green energy initiatives.
In summary, the upcoming peace talks in Angola represent a critical juncture for both the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebels. As Angola mediates these discussions amidst rising tensions and extensive humanitarian crises, the fate of peace in the region remains uncertain. The involvement of neighboring nations continues to pose challenges to stability, emphasizing the importance of a diplomatic resolution to this ongoing conflict.
Original Source: sightmagazine.com.au
