Faith Nyasuguta
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels are set to begin direct peace talks on March 18 in Luanda, Angola, according to a statement from Angola’s presidency on Wednesday. This announcement comes after months of escalating violence in eastern DRC, where the Rwanda-backed rebels have pushed closer to major cities, leaving thousands dead and displacing many more.
Angola has previously attempted to mediate peace between the two sides, but past negotiations have failed to stop the fighting. This time, the talks follow discussions between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Angolan President João Lourenço. While the announcement marks a significant step, no clear timetable has been given for how the negotiations will unfold.
For a long time, Tshisekedi refused to engage with the M23, accusing them of being a proxy force for Rwanda. The M23, however, claims they’ve forced Tshisekedi to the negotiating table. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling negotiations “the only civilized option to resolve the current crisis.”
The ongoing conflict has been devastating. Since January alone, the fighting has claimed over 7,000 lives, according to the DRC. Independent sources have yet to verify this number, but the situation remains dire. The M23’s rapid advances have brought them dangerously close to Goma and Bukavu, two key cities in the region, sparking fears of greater humanitarian disaster.
Rwanda’s Role in the Conflict
Rwanda has repeatedly denied providing direct military support to the M23. However, a United Nations report revealed that Rwanda maintains around 4,000 troops in eastern DRC, assisting the rebel group. The same report alleges that Rwanda uses the M23 to gain access to the DRC’s vast mineral wealth, including gold and coltan, crucial materials for electronics.
Rwanda justifies its involvement by pointing to the presence of the FDLR, a militia group formed by Hutu leaders responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Kigali claims that the FDLR poses an ongoing security threat, giving them reason to intervene in eastern DRC.
As both sides prepare to meet, many hope that these talks will bring an end to the violence that has ravaged the region for years. However, with deep-rooted tensions and competing interests at play, peace remains far from guaranteed. The coming days will be critical in determining whether this new round of talks will finally pave the way for lasting stability.
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