The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the rebels of the M23 armed group are to sit down for a dialogue in Luanda, the Angolan capital, in search of peace.

The parties agreed to go ahead with talks on March 18, after previous peacemaking efforts by Angola failed.

"Following the steps taken by the Angolan mediation (...) the delegations of the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 will begin direct peace talks on March 18 in the city of Luanda," the host presidency said in a statement.

In the recent past, M23 expressed its willingness to talk to the government of Félix Tshisekedi, which had refused. Following this, an attack by M23, with Rwandan support, shook the north of the DRC. Rwanda denies having provided military assistance to the M23.

Since January, the M23 has seized the key cities of Goma and Bukavu and since then has intended to govern the regions under its control in the long term.

The armed group's attacks have claimed the lives of more than 7,000 people since the beginning of 2025, according to the DRC.