DR Congo and rebels to begin peace talks
RTMAR 13
Angola Set to Host Peace Talks Between DRC, M23 Next Week
Above: Congolese Pres. Félix Tshisekedi speaks with his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço, during his first presidential visit to Luanda, Angola, on Feb. 5, 2019. Image copyright: Stringer/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
M23 rebels have always wanted to handle the decades-long crisis affecting eastern Congo through dialogue, but Kinshasa for too long insisted on excluding the legitimate movement from previous rounds of negotiations. Now, there's hope that the two sides will finally hold direct talks and bring this conflict to an end.
Narrative B
It's hard to be optimistic about negotiations on the conflict in eastern Congo as previous attempts to reach peace through dialogue have failed because Rwanda and its M23 proxy typically agree to — or even unilaterally declare — a cease-fire and continue to advance. As it stands, only international sanctions can force this conflict to end.