Angolan President Urges Midnight Ceasefire in DRCongo
__________________ Luanda, Angola | AFP The President of Angola, who is facilitating the dispute in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo involving government forces and the Rwanda-supported M23 rebel group, urged for a cessation of hostilities on Saturday prior to the peace negotiations he will preside over. Joao Lourenco urged "the conflicting parties to halt all hostilities in eastern DRC effective from midnight on March 16, 2025," according to an announcement made by Luanda. This city is anticipated to facilitate direct peace talks beginning Tuesday between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group.
"The ceasefire must encompass every form of hostility towards civilians along with the occupation of additional territories within the conflict area. It is anticipated that such measures and others will foster an environment of easing tensions, which would be ideal for initiating peace negotiations," according to the statement from the Angolan presidency.
The Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi, has until now declined to participate in discussions with the M23 group. This rebel faction, backed by Rwanda’s military forces, has swiftly advanced into eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since the start of the year.
However, after Tshisekedi’s visit to Luanda earlier this week, “direct peace talks” commenced on 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.
According to UN experts, the M23 receives support from roughly 4,000 Rwandan troops.
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