Angola to Facilitate Direct Talks Between DRC and M23 Rebels

On Tuesday, Angola announced its intention to facilitate direct talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebel group, which is reportedly supported by Rwanda, in the coming days. It was unclear whether the Congolese government, which has consistently refused to engage with the M23, would participate in the discussions.
A spokesperson for the Congolese president confirmed that the government had acknowledged Angola’s initiative. Meanwhile, a deputy spokesperson for the M23 referred to the effort as “a victory of reason” and confirmed the group’s willingness to participate in the talks.
Angola has been working to mediate a sustainable ceasefire and ease tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, which has been accused of supporting the Tutsi-led M23 rebel group. Rwanda, however, denies these allegations, stating that its forces are acting in self-defense against the Congolese military and militias hostile to Kigali.
Since January, the M23 rebels have taken control of two of the largest cities in eastern Congo, escalating a long-running conflict rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the competition for control over Congo’s rich mineral resources.
President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC recently visited Luanda, Angola’s capital, where he met with President Joao Lourenco. According to a statement from Angola’s presidency, as a neutral mediator, Angola will soon reach out to the M23 to organize direct negotiations between the DRC and M23 representatives in Luanda.