As part of efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), delegations from both Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebels are set to participate in direct peace talks in Luanda, Angola, starting Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The Angolan government, under President João Lourenço, has been facilitating the process, urging all parties to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis in eastern DRC.
According to Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the AFC/M23, the rebel alliance, which is under US sanctions, is dispatching a five-member delegation to Luanda at the invitation of Angolan authorities. In a statement, the AFC/M23 expressed its deep appreciation to President Lourenço for his continuous efforts in mediating the conflict and fostering dialogue.
Meanwhile, sources from the Congolese presidency in Kinshasa have confirmed that Jean-Pierre Bemba, Minister of Transport, Ways of Communication and Opening Up, will lead the government delegation. His arrival in Luanda is expected on Monday evening.
However, the direct engagement between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 has sparked controversy. Denis Mukwege, the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has strongly criticized the move, arguing that reducing the ongoing war to an internal Congolese conflict is a major misdiagnosis. Mukwege insists that any peace efforts must address the international dimensions of the war, particularly the involvement of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, as well as the interests of foreign actors seeking control over critical minerals in the region.
Mukwege and other critics fear that bilateral negotiations with M23—without a broader international framework—could legitimize armed aggression and occupation, rather than genuinely solving the conflict. Many in Kinshasa remain skeptical about AFC/M23’s commitment to peace, especially given its alleged backing by Rwanda and its ongoing military expansion in the east.
Therwandan
