Congo and M23 Rebels to Begin Peace Talks in Angola

The negotiations, set for March 18 in Luanda, mark the first direct talks between the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed rebel group.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has agreed to consider participating in direct peace talks with the M23 rebel group, mediated by Angola in Luanda on March 18.
The M23 rebels have seized key cities in eastern Congo, including Goma and Bukavu, since January, escalating a conflict tied to regional tensions and control of mineral resources.
Angola’s mediation efforts aim to address the long-standing conflict, which has displaced over 7 million people and led to thousands of deaths since January alone, according to Congolese officials.
The African Development Community (SADC) announced a phased withdrawal of its peacekeeping forces from the DRC, adding pressure on the Congolese government to resolve the crisis diplomatically.
Rwanda continues to deny allegations of supporting M23, while neighboring countries like Uganda and Burundi have deployed troops in the region, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.