DR Congo crisis: Kagame, Tshisekedi invited for talks

Angolan President João Lourenço has invited the leaders of Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for talks on Wednesday to discuss rebel activity in eastern DR Congo.

The talks in Luanda will also be attended by Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye and former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, the state-owned new agency, Angop, says.

Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the M23 rebels that now control a significant area of North Kivu province in eastern Congo. Kigali has continuously denied the allegations.

Two previous meetings this year between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame had no remarkable results as tensions continue to grow.

President Ndayishimiye, the current chair of the East African Community, has told France24 that “agreeing to sit together is a big step”.

“So far we haven’t made a decision on a regional level, or my-self” about Kinshasa allegations against Kigali, Mr Ndayishimiye told the French broadcaster, adding that they will have an “opportunity to analyse” them in Luanda.

Regional leaders have been calling for peace talks between the Congolese government and armed groups operating in eastern Congo.

Kinshasa has said it will not negotiate with M23 rebels unless they lay down arms and withdraw from areas they have captured.

An M23 spokesperson has told the BBC the group “will not withdraw an inch” from their positions.