Direct Peace Talks Between Congo and M23 Rebels Scheduled for March 18 in Angola

Direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will begin in Luanda, Angola, on March 18. Following Angola’s initiative to mediate a ceasefire, the Congolese government has acknowledged the invitation but has not confirmed participation. The situation has intensified since January, with significant casualties and displacement due to conflict backed by neighboring nations, raising fears of regional war.

Direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebels are slated to commence in Luanda, Angola, on March 18, as announced by the Angolan presidency. This initiative is aimed at fostering a lasting ceasefire amidst rising tensions between Congo and Rwanda, which has been accused of supporting the rebels; however, Rwanda has denied these allegations.

The Angolan government stated on Tuesday its intention to mediate these critical discussions. Despite this effort, the Congolese government has shown reluctance in previous discussions, merely acknowledging the initiative with no guarantee of participation. On Wednesday, Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Felix Tshisekedi, indicated that they had received Angola’s invitation but did not confirm whether they would attend.

M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa took to social media to express confidence in the negotiations, emphasizing that it was the “only civilised option to resolve the current crisis,” which has witnessed significant escalation since January. The fighting, deeply rooted in historical conflicts linked to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, has seized control of eastern Congo’s two largest cities.

The Congolese government reported that over 7,000 individuals have perished due to the conflict, and the UN reports that approximately 600,000 people have been displaced since November. Neighboring nations, including South Africa, Burundi, and Uganda, have deployed troops to eastern Congo, heightening concerns of a widespread regional conflict reminiscent of the devastating wars of the 1990s.

Rich in mineral resources such as coltan, cobalt, copper, and lithium, Eastern Congo is crucial to the world’s technological and green energy advancements. These resources underline the urgency of resolving ongoing tensions and establishing peace in the region.

The upcoming direct peace talks in Angola represent a significant step towards potentially addressing longstanding conflicts between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebels. Given the historical context and the humanitarian crisis emerging from this conflict, successful negotiations could pave the way for stability in a resource-rich region crucial to global technological advancements. However, the Congolese government’s hesitant stance on participation raises questions about the future of these discussions and their ability to foster lasting peace.

Original Source: sightmagazine.com.au