President Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo (left) and President Joao Lourenco of Angola (right)
Source: Africa Publicity
In a bid to end the long-running conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola has announced its intention to broker direct talks between the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. This move comes after Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi met with Angola’s President Joao Lourenco in Luanda.
According to Angola’s presidency, the country will establish contacts with the M23 rebels to facilitate direct negotiations between the two parties in Luanda. “Angola, as mediator in the conflict in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo, will establish contacts with the M23, so that delegations from Congo and the M23 can hold direct negotiations in Luanda in the coming days,” the presidency stated.
The conflict in eastern Congo has escalated since January, with M23 rebels seizing control of the region’s two largest cities. The conflict is rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the struggle for control of Congo’s vast mineral resources.
Angola’s mediation efforts aim to establish a lasting ceasefire and de-escalate tensions between Congo and neighboring Rwanda, which has been accused of backing the Tutsi-led rebel group. Rwanda denies providing arms and troops to M23 rebels, claiming its forces are acting in self-defense.
The success of Angola’s mediation efforts remains to be seen, as the Congolese government has repeatedly refused to hold talks with the M23 rebels. However, with Angola’s involvement, there is hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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