The M23 rebel fighters agreed yesterday to talk peace with Congo's government. Five rebel representatives will travel to Angola after receiving an invite from local officials. Angola has tried hard to stop the fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for months. M23 leaders thanked Angolan President João Lourenço publicly for pushing both sides toward a peaceful solution.
Congo's government finally agreed to meet directly with the rebels despite long-standing opposition. They wanted to stick with Nairobi's peace plans instead of facing M23 across a table. President Félix Tshisekedi changed his mind because M23 keeps winning battles, and previous ceasefires have failed. Presidential spokesperson Tina Salama sounded uncertain about these talks when she spoke to reporters.
Congo has always called M23 terrorists and claims Rwanda supports them behind the scenes. The peace talks announcement came just as M23 captured more territory throughout eastern Congo. Last Wednesday, rebel forces took over several villages, including Gashama and Gitembe, in South Kivu province.
They also grabbed Kashebere and Kibati in North Kivu as they moved toward Walikale Centre along a major road. The Walikale area contains huge tin and gold deposits, including the Bisie mine, which produces most of North Kivu's tin exports. Many experts believe M23 timed these attacks deliberately to gain advantages before sitting down at the negotiating table in Luanda.
Congo's government finally agreed to meet directly with the rebels despite long-standing opposition. They wanted to stick with Nairobi's peace plans instead of facing M23 across a table. President Félix Tshisekedi changed his mind because M23 keeps winning battles, and previous ceasefires have failed. Presidential spokesperson Tina Salama sounded uncertain about these talks when she spoke to reporters.
Congo has always called M23 terrorists and claims Rwanda supports them behind the scenes. The peace talks announcement came just as M23 captured more territory throughout eastern Congo. Last Wednesday, rebel forces took over several villages, including Gashama and Gitembe, in South Kivu province.
They also grabbed Kashebere and Kibati in North Kivu as they moved toward Walikale Centre along a major road. The Walikale area contains huge tin and gold deposits, including the Bisie mine, which produces most of North Kivu's tin exports. Many experts believe M23 timed these attacks deliberately to gain advantages before sitting down at the negotiating table in Luanda.
