M23 Accepts Angola’s Mediation Offer and Seeks Clarifications on DRC Talks
M23 has accepted Angola’s mediation offer for dialogue with the DRC government and seeks clarifications regarding the DRC’s participation. They call for President Tshisekedi’s commitment to negotiations and the involvement of all stakeholders. M23 stresses the ineffectiveness of military solutions to the crisis and urges adherence to ceasefire agreements.
The M23 group has officially accepted Angola’s mediation offer aimed at facilitating dialogue with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), scheduled to commence this month. Spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka emphasized the importance of clarifying the DRC’s participation, reflecting on previous statements from DRC officials indicating a reluctance to engage in negotiations with them.
M23 insists that President Felix Tshisekedi must publicly affirm his commitment to direct discussions. Furthermore, they advocate for the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the mediation initiative. The group expressed concern about learning of the mediation through social media rather than official channels.
In their statement, the M23 organization reiterated the belief that military solutions will not resolve the ongoing crisis in the DRC. They seek clarification on the implementation of resolutions from the joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit held in Dar es Salaam on February 8.
This development follows a recent communiqué from SADC reaffirming its support for the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes while announcing the withdrawal of its troops from Eastern DRC. It highlights the UN Security Council resolution and the importance of regional cooperation to restore peace in the area.
The joint statement from the summit emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire by urging all parties, including M23, to refrain from further escalations in Eastern DRC. It noted the role of former leaders, including Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta and Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, in mediating peace efforts in the region.
In summary, the M23 group has welcomed Angola’s mediation offer, emphasizing the need for clarity regarding stakeholder involvement and DRC’s negotiation intentions. They firmly believe in political reconciliation over military solutions to the ongoing crisis and stress the urgency for all parties to adhere to ceasefire agreements to establish lasting peace in the DRC.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
