Congo and M23 Rebels Set for Peace Talks in Angola

The government of Congo will engage in peace negotiations with the M23 rebel group in Angola. Mediator Angola announced these direct discussions to address the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, aggravated by the Rwanda-backed rebels. Previous talks excluded M23, focusing instead on Rwanda.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is poised to enter direct peace negotiations with the M23 rebel group in Angola, as the insurgents continue to control key territories in mineral-rich eastern Congo.

Angolan President João Lourenço's office confirmed that the discussions are scheduled to take place in Luanda next week. Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi visited Angola recently to finalize the anticipated talks.

The conflict, fueled by support from Rwanda for M23, has become one of the world's major humanitarian crises, displacing over seven million people. Previous mediation efforts by Angola did not include M23, opting instead to engage only with their Rwandan backers.

(With inputs from agencies.)