Peace talks between Kinshasa and M23 to begin in Luanda

Thursday 13 March 2025 - 10:05

By: Zahouani Ilham

Peace talks between Kinshasa and M23 to begin in Luanda

Angola, acting as a mediator in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has announced that direct peace negotiations between the Congolese government and the M23 armed group will commence on March 18 in Luanda.

This decision follows diplomatic efforts led by Angola, which confirmed the agreement for direct dialogue. The announcement comes after Angolan President João Lourenço had previously indicated that such talks would take place "in the coming days," without specifying a date.

A major obstacle to negotiations had been the reluctance of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to engage in discussions with M23, a group accused of receiving military support from Rwanda. Since early 2024, M23 has made significant territorial gains in eastern DRC, capturing strategic cities.

Despite Kinshasa's past refusal, M23 has consistently expressed its commitment to resolving the conflict through dialogue, aiming to address the root causes of the crisis and establish lasting peace. Tshisekedi's recent shift toward negotiations follows his visit to Angola, where he met with President Lourenço to discuss the worsening security situation.

Since January, M23 has taken control of major cities in eastern DRC, particularly in the resource-rich regions near the Rwandan border. According to UN experts, the rebel group is supported by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops.

The DRC government accuses Rwanda of seeking to exploit its mineral resources and claims that over 7,000 people have died due to the ongoing conflict. Kigali, however, justifies its involvement by citing security concerns along its border, pointing to the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia founded by individuals linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

The situation is further complicated by the involvement of Burundi, which has militarily aligned with the Congolese government, raising fears of a broader regional escalation. The UN estimates that around 80,000 people have been displaced by the conflict, with 61,000 seeking refuge in Burundi.

Meanwhile, former Congolese President Joseph Kabila has publicly criticized Tshisekedi, blaming him for the deteriorating security situation. In a statement to the Sunday Times, Kabila argued that the crisis is not solely due to M23’s advances but also reflects the failure of Tshisekedi’s leadership, warning that the country is "on the verge of collapse."