By AFP

Angola’s president, who is mediating the conflict in eastern DR Congo between government troops and the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group, on Saturday called for a ceasefire ahead of peace talks he’ll be hosting.

Joao Lourenco “calls on the parties to the conflict to cease hostilities in eastern DRC as of midnight on March 16, 2025,” said a statement issued by Luanda, which is expected to host “direct peace negotiations” between the Congolese government and the M23 group starting Tuesday.

“This ceasefire should include all possible hostile actions against the civilian population as well as the conquest of new positions in the conflict zone, with the expectation that these and other initiatives will lead to the creation of a climate of détente conducive to the start of peace talks,” the Angolan presidency’s text said.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has so far refused to attend talks with the M23 group, which, supported by Rwandan troops, has made rapid inroads into eastern DRC since the beginning of the year.

But following a visit by Tshisekedi to Luanda this week, “direct peace negotiations” were announced starting Tuesday.

Since January, the major cities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Goma and Bukavu, a region rich in natural resources and close to the Rwandan border, have fallen under M23’s control.

The M23 is supported by approximately 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, according to UN experts.

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