Congo to Send Delegation to Angola for Talks Amid Intensifying Conflict with M23 Rebels

 Kinshasa – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will dispatch a delegation to Angola on Tuesday for negotiations aimed at resolving the escalating conflict with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo, the presidency announced on Sunday.

Angola confirmed last week that direct peace talks between the Congolese government and M23 would commence in Luanda on March 18. President Félix Tshisekedi, who has long opposed dialogue with the rebel group, is reportedly reconsidering his stance following a series of battlefield setbacks and dwindling regional support.

“At this stage, we cannot confirm the composition of the delegation,” said presidential spokesperson Tina Salama.

M23 has acknowledged receiving Angola’s invitation, spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, though he did not confirm the group’s participation. Following the announcement of talks, M23 outlined a series of demands, including a public commitment from Tshisekedi to engage in direct negotiations.

Angola has been actively mediating efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire and ease tensions between Congo and Rwanda, which has been accused of supporting the Tutsi-led rebel group. Kigali has consistently denied the allegations.

The conflict, deeply rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the struggle for control over Congo’s vast mineral wealth, has flared dramatically in recent months. M23 has made unprecedented territorial gains, capturing strategic locations, including eastern Congo’s two largest cities and several smaller towns.

Since January, at least 7,000 people have been killed in the fighting, according to the Congolese government, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that more than 600,000 people have been displaced since November.

On Saturday, Angolan President João Lourenço called on all parties to observe a ceasefire starting at midnight to create a favorable atmosphere for negotiations. “The ceasefire must include an end to all hostile actions against civilians and the occupation of new positions,” he said in a statement.

However, ceasefire violations have been a recurring issue, with both Congo and M23 accusing each other of breaching previous agreements. Fighting appeared to continue on Sunday, with a local official reporting clashes in the Walikale region.

As the situation remains volatile, all eyes are on Luanda, where the upcoming talks could prove pivotal in shaping the future of eastern Congo’s protracted conflict.