Angolan President has called for a ceasefire in the eastern DRC to pave the way for peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels

Angolan President João Lourenço, currently chair of the African Union, has called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). President Lourenço on Saturday called for a ceasefire ahead of peace talks he will be hosting.

The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to send a delegation to Angola for peace talks with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. This initiative follows Angola's invitation for dialogue aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo.

Angola is advancing efforts to mediate the crisis in eastern DR Congo by facilitating direct negotiations between Kinshasa and the M23 rebel group. Following a meeting in Luanda, Angolan President João Lourenço announced plans to establish talks between the two sides to secure lasting peace.

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.

Angola will host peace talks on March 18 to de-escalate tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels. This initiative follows accusations against Rwanda of backing the rebels. Congo is hesitant about participating,

Democratic Republic of Congo will send a delegation to Angola on Tuesday for talks aiming to resolve a spiralling conflict against Rwandan-backed rebels in the east, the presidency said on Sunday. Angola said last week that direct peace talks between Congo and M23 rebels would begin in the Angolan capital Luanda on March 18.