The Democratic Republic of Congo is considering sending representatives to Angola-hosted peace talks next week, potentially marking its first direct negotiations with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, according to two government sources.
The deliberations come as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announces the phased withdrawal of its military mission in Congo (SAMIDRC), following a summit decision to end its mandate.
Angola has been mediating to de-escalate hostilities between Congo and Rwanda, which denies allegations of supporting the Tutsi-led M23 rebels. On Wednesday, Luanda confirmed that talks between Kinshasa and M23 would begin on March 18, though Congo’s government has yet to formally confirm its participation.
“This is the start of a process. Kinshasa wants it to be brief, but it could extend longer. The president will decide who represents the government,” said one source. Another official emphasized that any dialogue with M23 “will not absolve Kigali of its responsibility.”
The withdrawal of SADC troops—initially deployed in late 2023 to support Congolese forces against rebel groups—adds further pressure on President Félix Tshisekedi, who has faced criticism over M23’s latest territorial gains.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe welcomed the withdrawal, calling it “a good decision for peace” in eastern Congo.
M23 fighters have seized key cities in eastern Congo since January, reigniting a conflict rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the battle over the region’s rich mineral wealth.
