DRC defies growing international pressure for ‘inclusive dialogue’ with M23 rebels

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is standing firm against mounting international pressure to hold direct talks with the M23 rebel group, despite the group’s significant territorial gains in the eastern part of the country.
Since January, the M23, which is accused of receiving support from neighboring Rwanda, has captured key cities like Goma and Bukavu, intensifying the ongoing conflict. Over 8,500 lives have been lost, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Amid calls from international powers such as the UK and the UN for an “inclusive dialogue,” DRC prime minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka emphasized that her government would only negotiate with Rwanda, which it accuses of backing M23 rebels. Rwanda’s role has come under increased scrutiny, with reports of Rwandan troops allegedly aiding the M23 fighters and illegally exploiting mineral deposits in eastern DRC, a claim Kigali denies.
The conflict has already drawn in regional actors, with Uganda deploying troops to northeast DRC in response to violence by local militias, including the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO). The DRC’s firm stance on negotiations has resulted in escalating tensions, as Rwanda dismisses the calls to withdraw its troops and engages in heated exchanges with the international community. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis worsens, with over 60,000 Congolese refugees fleeing to neighboring Burundi for safety. As regional powers continue to maneuver in this volatile situation, the potential for a wider regional conflict looms large.