Aftermath of the clash between Congolese Army and the M23 rebels. Image credit: James Kunda
(The Post News)- Angola has proposed to become the mediator between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, though the DRC government has previously refused to be in any discussions with M23.
DRC presidential spokesperson Tina Salama said that the authorities have taken this decision, which the M23 deputy spokesperson described as a “victory of reason,” and confirmed their presence at the negotiations.
According to reports, M23 rebels, with the help of Rwanda, have seized East Congo’s two biggest cities after a long-running conflict believed to have been rooted in the spillover into Congo of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the fight to control some of Congo’s mineral resources.
However, Rwanda denied any involvement of their army with the M23 rebels, saying that their troops are acting against the Congolese army and “militias hostile” to Kigali.
Meanwhile, Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi visited Angola and met with President Jaoa Lourenco.
In a statement released on Facebook, Tshisekedi said Angola, “as a mediator” in the crisis in the eastern DRC, will develop relations with the M23 so that delegations from Congo and the M23 can undertake direct negotiations in Luanda in the coming days.
About the Author
