M23 calls for direct dialogue with Kinshasa

The ceasefire negotiated and secured by Angola last Tuesday in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continues to provoke reactions, even within the M23.

although Cease-fire agreement The move, announced by the Angolan president late Tuesday, continues to draw praise from the international community, but the M23 is demanding direct dialogue with the Congolese authorities.

M23 will not “automatically” feel bound by ceasefire agreement

A Congolese news website reported an M23 statement on Thursday Congo Media NetworkThe leaders of the rebel movements say they do not feel “automatically” bound by the ceasefire agreement reached in Luanda. What is important to them is direct dialogue with the Kinshasa authorities. “The only way to peacefully resolve the current conflict is through direct political dialogue with the Kinshasa government, which addresses the root causes of the recurring conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,” the M23 insisted. The question that then arises is to know what the final position of the M23 is regarding the ceasefire.

What are the chances of the agreement being successful?

Behind the questions about the M23’s position lies a big question about the ceasefire’s chances of success: Is it viable? This question is all the more salient because the humanitarian truce recently negotiated by the United States has not been fully respected. Other ceasefires have been violated before this one. Even better, President Felix Tshisekedi has so far categorically refused to cooperate with the United States in the fight against the conflict. M23 He considered it an “empty shell”.

The next few days will surely inform everyone about this issue. However, until the ceasefire comes into effect on August 4, the United States will fully support the agreement. They announced this in a press release issued this Thursday. “We commend the mediation efforts of the Angolan Government, in particular the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço, African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation. We welcome the important role played by the Ad Hoc Verification Mechanism, led by Angola, in monitoring the ceasefire.”

The United States also congratulated the Democratic Republic of Congo and the DRC government Rwanda “We thank them for their commitment to continuing negotiations to end this conflict.” In addition, the US government expressed its readiness to “support the implementation and monitoring of the ceasefire, in particular through the efforts of the Ad Hoc Verification Mechanism for Angola.” Another concern expressed by the United States is respect for human rights by all parties to the conflict.

Joao Lourenco discusses with Paulo Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi

Angolan mediator João Lourenço continues to lead negotiations to effectively resolve the crisis in the eastern region. R & D CenterOn Thursday, the Angolan president spoke by phone with his Rwandan counterpart to discuss the ceasefire. On Wednesday, he did the same with Felix Tshisekedi. The Angolan president’s stated goal is Get the presidents of Congo and Rwanda to sit at the same table.