Direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will begin in the Angolan capital on March 18, Angola's presidency said in a statement on Wednesday. The Southern African country has been trying to mediate a lasting ceasefire and de-escalate tensions between Congo and neighbouring Rwanda,

Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will engage in direct negotiations in the coming days to end the conflict in the country’s mineral-rich east, according to the presidency of Angola, which will mediate the talks.

As Angola continues to act as a mediator in the crisis in eastern DRC, President Lourenço is working on bringing about direct negotiations between Kinshasa and the M23. The conflict in eastern DRC was the focus of a new meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Angolan counterpart,