DRC's Felix Tshisekedi mulls talks with armed group M23

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi is considering a sit-down with Rwanda backed armed group M23.

Tshisekdi had previously ruled out dialogue with the group rampaging through the mineral rich eastern part of the country. 

His consideration comes amidst a string of defeats, seizure of territories and regional pressure to begin talks with the groups. 

Angola - in a surprise twist - had announced earlier in the week that it would host direct talks between Congo and M23 in its capital on March 18. 

Despite not reacting publicly to the announcement, top officials in Tshisekedi’s government confirmed to Reuters that he was seriously considering sending a delegation to the proposed meeting. 

"I haven't talked to a single African country that says Kinshasa shouldn't talk to M23," one senior diplomat said.

"The line of everyone is, 'How do you stop the fighting if you don't engage with them?'"

Another stated emphatically that Kinshasa would be attending but it was still unclear who would represent the government in Luanda next week. 

Other sources said the debate was still ongoing and that a final decision was not likely to be made until next week.

M23, for its part, said on Thursday it was demanding an unequivocal commitment from Tshisekedi to engage in talks.

Southern and East African foreign and defence ministers are due to meet in Harare, Zimbabwe on Monday to discuss the push for a cessation of hostilities and political dialogue.

The fighting in eastern DRC has sparked a far reaching humanitarian crisis with over 7,000 people killed in January alone and 80,000 people displaced. 

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