DRC and M23 Rebels to Initiate Direct Peace Talks in Angola
Direct peace talks between DRC and M23 rebels will start in Luanda, Angola, on March 18, as confirmed by Angolan authorities. The ongoing conflict, exacerbated by the involvement of external forces, has resulted in significant casualties and displacements. M23, a key player among numerous armed groups in the region, has intensified the struggle for control over DRC’s mineral resources.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels are set to commence direct peace negotiations in Luanda, Angola, starting on March 18, as announced by the Angolan government. A spokesperson for DRC President Felix Tshisekedi confirmed receipt of Angola’s invitation for the talks.
Angola has previously mediated in the ongoing conflict, which has escalated since January when M23 captured the strategic city of Goma. The situation worsened in February when the rebels seized Bukavu, DRC’s second-largest city. Rwanda has denied any support for M23, although the conflict has deep roots linked to events from the 1994 Rwandan genocide and disputes over mineral control in DRC.
President Tshisekedi recently visited Angola to explore dialogue options, as indicated by his spokesperson, Tina Salama. While the DRC government has acknowledged the invitation from Angola, it has not confirmed its participation in the upcoming discussions. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa remarked on social media that the conflict had compelled Tshisekedi to the negotiating table, characterizing negotiations as “the only civilized option to resolve the current crisis that has lasted for decades.”
The conflict has reportedly resulted in over 7,000 fatalities since January. According to the United Nations refugee agency, nearly 80,000 individuals have fled the conflict, with around 61,000 seeking refuge in Burundi. M23 represents one among approximately 100 armed groups competing for control of eastern Congo’s rich mineral resources, which include coltan, cobalt, copper, and lithium. The presence of troops from neighboring countries like South Africa, Burundi, and Uganda in eastern Congo raises concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict reminiscent of the devastating Congo wars of the 1990s and early 2000s.
In summary, direct peace negotiations between the DRC government and M23 rebels will begin in Angola on March 18. This meeting is a crucial step towards addressing a protracted conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced tens of thousands. The involvement of regional powers and the historical complexities underlying the conflict pose continual challenges, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable resolution mechanisms in the region.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
