The Congolese government and the M23 rebel group will engage in peace talks on March 18, mediated by Angola. This follows escalating violence in eastern Congo and prior cancelled talks. With significant humanitarian implications, over 7 million people are displaced due to the conflict, which involves Rwandan support for the M23 rebels.
The Congolese government and the M23 rebel group are scheduled to commence peace negotiations on March 18, as announced by Angola, the designated mediator. These discussions will take place in Luanda, Angola’s capital. This initiative follows a period of escalating conflict in eastern Congo, characterized by the M23 rebels’ advance and control over the key city of Goma since late January.
President Félix Tshisekedi of Congo visited Angola recently to discuss the potential for these peace negotiations. The announcement is particularly significant given that previous peace talks, hosted by Angola, had been cancelled and aimed at addressing the involvement of Rwanda rather than engaging directly with the M23 rebels, who are one of approximately 100 armed factions competing for power in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo.
The conflict has resulted in one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally, with over 7 million individuals displaced. The M23 rebels reportedly receive support from roughly 4,000 Rwandan troops, and their ambitions include marching towards Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, over 1,000 miles distant. This impending dialogue marks a critical step toward resolution in a deeply entrenched conflict.
In summary, the upcoming peace talks between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group scheduled for March 18 signal a potential change in the trajectory of a long-standing conflict marked by violence and humanitarian crises. As Angola mediates, the emphasis on direct negotiations may offer new pathways to stability in eastern Congo, historically fraught with armed conflicts and displacement.
Original Source: www.elpasoinc.com
