In a significant development aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group are scheduled to hold direct peace talks on 18 March in Luanda, Angola.
The talks come after months of escalating conflict in Congo’s mineral-rich eastern region, which has seen the Rwanda-backed M23 seize key territories and displace millions. The announcement was made by the office of Angolan President João Lourenço, who has been mediating the conflict.
Following the diligence carried out by Angolan mediation in the conflict affecting the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Government of the Republic of Angola makes public that delegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 will begin direct peace negotiations, on March 18, in the city of Luanda.
The Congolese government has yet to issue an official response, but President Felix Tshisekedi’s spokesperson, Tina Salama, expressed optimism on social media.
We acknowledge and look forward to the implementation of this Angolan mediation initiative.
In late January, the group captured the strategic city of Goma, followed by Bukavu, the region’s second-largest city, in February. The advances have exacerbated one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with over 7 million people displaced and widespread reports of atrocities, including rape and summary executions.
United Nations experts accused Rwanda of backing the M23 with approximately 4,000 troops, a claim Rwanda denies. Previous peace talks, hosted by Angola, excluded the M23 and focused instead on Congo’s tensions with Rwanda.
However, those talks collapsed in December after Rwanda insisted on direct dialogue between Congo and the M23 rebels—a condition Congo initially rejected.
Last month, the UN Human Rights Council launched a commission to investigate alleged atrocities committed by both sides, including widespread human rights abuses. The findings of this investigation could further complicate the peace process, as accountability for past actions remains a contentious issue.
