Summary:
M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka emphasized that the Kinshasa regime has consistently refused to engage in dialogue, repeatedly declaring that it will never negotiate with them.
GOMA: The M23 Rebels have reiterated that a military solution cannot effectively address the root causes of the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Their statement follows the efforts of His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola, to promote peace and stability in the DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.
The M23 Rebels have welcomed the Angolan Presidency’s announcement after a meeting between President Lourenço and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, which aimed to facilitate direct negotiations between the DRC government and the rebel group.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka emphasized that the Kinshasa regime has consistently refused to engage in dialogue, repeatedly declaring that it will never negotiate with them.
Kanyuka pointed to recent remarks by DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya as evidence of President Tshisekedi’s unwillingness to commit to the Angolan-led peace initiative. He urged Tshisekedi to publicly and unequivocally express his commitment to direct negotiations.
Kanyuka stressed the need for the mediation team to formally inform all stakeholders of its initiative and its terms of reference. He noted that M23 has not yet received any official notification and is instead relying on a statement published on the Angolan Presidency’s Facebook page.
He also called for clarification on the implementation of resolutions adopted at the joint summit of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State, held in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025.
Kanyuka reaffirmed that M23 remains committed to a peaceful resolution and insists that only direct negotiations can lead to a lasting solution to the crisis in the DRC.
