Congo and M23 Rebel Group to Engage in Peace Talks on March 18

The government of Congo and the M23 rebel group will hold peace talks on March 18 in Luanda, Angola, to address escalating conflicts in eastern Congo. This comes after previous talks excluded the rebel group. The ongoing violence has led to a humanitarian crisis with millions displaced.

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group are scheduled to engage in direct peace negotiations on March 18, as announced by mediating country Angola. The talks will take place in Luanda, the Angolan capital, as part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the situation in eastern Congo.

The conflict, which has been exacerbated since late January due to the advances of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, has seen significant territorial gains, including the capture of Goma and, most recently, Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo.

Congo’s President, Félix Tshisekedi, recently visited Angola to discuss these impending peace talks. The announcement is significant, coming after Angola had previously hosted discussions that excluded M23, focusing instead on their Rwandan supporters.

M23 is one of nearly 100 armed groups striving for influence in the mineral-rich eastern Congo, contributing to a humanitarian crisis with over 7 million displaced individuals. The group has reportedly received military support from approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops, and they have expressed intentions to extend their operations toward Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, located over 1,000 miles away.

The upcoming peace talks between the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group, mediated by Angola, represent a crucial step towards resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. The negotiations follow a period of intensified hostilities and aim to address the humanitarian crisis affecting millions. The international community will closely monitor the outcomes of these discussions as hopes for long-term stability in the region remain paramount.

Original Source: www.elpasoinc.com