Angola set to host peace talks between DRC and M23 rebels

Direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the M23 rebel group are scheduled to begin in Angola’s capital city Luanda on 18 March, as announced by Angola’s presidency.
This marks a significant development after months of escalating conflict in the volatile eastern DRC, where the M23 rebels, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, have made significant territorial gains. In early January, the rebels seized the key city of Goma, leading to a surge in violence and displacement. The decision to enter peace talks comes after Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi agreed to discussions with his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço, who has been acting as the African Union’s peace mediator for the conflict in the DRC. Tshisekedi had previously resisted engaging with M23, citing Rwanda’s support for the rebels. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa, however, hailed the move as a “civilized option” to resolve the ongoing crisis.
The DRC government claims the conflict has led to over 7,000 deaths, though this figure has not been independently verified. While Rwanda denies backing the M23, a United Nations report suggests that Rwanda maintains significant support for — and, in fact, de facto control over — the armed group, with an eye on the region’s rich mineral resources, including coltan and gold. This latest peace initiative follows multiple failed attempts at dialogue and comes amid international pressure for a peaceful resolution. As both sides prepare for the talks, the future of the DRC’s eastern region remains uncertain.