Breaking: Talks Between AFC/M23 and the Democratic Republic of Congo Face Obstacles

The AFC/M23 armed group has issued a strong statement condemning continued attacks on civilians and its positions ahead of expected talks aimed at resolving security issues in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

In a message posted on X, AFC/M23 spokesperson Laurence Kanyuka stated that over the past four days, the Congolese army has launched heavy attacks using Sukhoi-25 fighter jets and CH-4B drones, targeting densely populated areas. 

Kanyuka claimed that these attacks were an attempt to disrupt the progress made in peace negotiations for the region. 

After receiving an invitation from the Government of Angola, AFC/M23 confirmed its readiness to participate in the talks. However, it insisted that the official invitations must be addressed to Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rather than only to M23. 

This issue arose after an initial invitation appeared to be directed exclusively at M23, seemingly sidelining the broader AFC coalition. 

Angola’s presidency recently announced that talks between M23 and the Kinshasa government are set to take place on March 18, 2025, in Luanda. M23 welcomed this decision, calling it a step forward toward peace. 

However, doubts remain about whether the Congolese government will attend the talks, as President Félix Tshisekedi has repeatedly labeled M23 a terrorist organization. 

On March 13, 2025, AFC/M23 released a statement asserting that the solution to insecurity in eastern DRC cannot come through military means but rather through addressing the root causes of the conflict. 

Although Angola confirmed the talks on social media, AFC/M23 is demanding that President Tshisekedi publicly commit to participating in the discussions. 

Beyond concerns over the invitation process, AFC/M23 also claims it has yet to receive an official written invitation, apart from seeing reports on Angola’s presidency’s Facebook page. 

AFC/M23 is calling for the implementation of decisions made during the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit held on February 8, 2025. 

This request signals the group’s willingness to pursue a peaceful resolution, contrasting with the ongoing military confrontations in the region. 

Although M23 has expressed readiness to engage in talks, the Congolese government has yet to officially confirm whether it will sit at the negotiating table in Luanda. 

This uncertainty increases pressure on Kinshasa, as many observers are eager to see how President Tshisekedi will respond in the coming days. 

Based on the current situation, two key issues could hinder the upcoming talks in Luanda: 

Dispute Over Invitations – AFC/M23 is dissatisfied with how the invitation was issued, as it appears to recognize only M23 and excludes the broader AFC coalition. 

Lack of Formal Invitation – AFC/M23 claims it has not received an official invitation, aside from seeing information shared on Facebook by Angola’s presidency. 

Additionally, President Tshisekedi has not publicly confirmed his participation. His government has consistently rejected negotiations with M23, labeling it a terrorist organization. 

Meanwhile, the Congolese military continues its attacks on M23 positions and civilian areas, suggesting that Kinshasa may not be interested in negotiations or is trying to pressure M23 before talks begin. 

On the other hand, Angola’s announcement of the talks marks a significant step forward, as the country plays a key mediating role and has the power to bring both sides to the table. 

Since AFC/M23 has already confirmed its willingness to participate, the burden now falls on Kinshasa to show its commitment to peace talks. 

If President Tshisekedi does not publicly confirm his attendance, AFC/M23 will likely continue to question his government’s intentions. However, if he agrees, the chances of successful negotiations will increase significantly. 

At this stage, there is hope for the talks to take place, but strong mediation efforts will be needed to ensure that both Kinshasa and AFC/M23 agree on the framework for negotiations.