It has emerged that there is a high possibility for direct negotiations between the Kinshasa regime and the AFC/M23 rebels.
President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday met in Luanda, Angola his counterpart João Lourenço the designated mediator in the conflict in Eastern DRC.
According to details, the bilateral meeting, took place at the presidential palace in the Angolan capital, as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace in the Kivu region, where fighting between Congolese forces and the AFC/M23 rebels has intensified tensions in recent weeks.
According to the Angolan presidency, Luanda could soon initiate contacts with the AFC/M23 with a view to facilitating direct negotiations between the parties.
This initiative marks a new stage in Angolan mediation, after several unsuccessful attempts at de-escalation.
An Angolan official involved in the mediation confirmed that Luanda is “increasing efforts to reconcile positions” and encourage direct dialogue between Kinshasa and the M23 “in the coming days.”
On Monday, a delegation from the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) had already been received by President Lourenço, a sign of intensifying diplomatic consultations surrounding this crisis.
This announcement comes as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is planning an extraordinary summit via videoconference on March 13th to discuss the security situation in the DRC.
The DRC, which accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23, has so far been reluctant to negotiate directly with the rebel group, demanding its complete withdrawal from occupied areas.