Overview
- Angola has announced that peace talks between the DR Congo government and the M23 militia will commence on March 18 in Luanda.
- The M23 militia, supported by Ruanda, has captured significant territories in eastern DR Congo, including key cities like Goma and Bukavu.
- Over 7,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in the conflict since January, according to Congolese reports.
- The DR Congo government accuses Ruanda of exploiting the region's mineral wealth through its support of the M23, a claim Ruanda denies.
- Systemic corruption, poor military organization, and low morale within the Congolese army have contributed to its struggles against the smaller, better-trained M23 militia.