Rebels' battlefield advantage in east Congo complicates push for talks

FILE PHOTO: M23 rebels stand guard during a meeting organised by the M23 at the Stade de l'Unite, after the town of Goma was taken by the M23 rebels, in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, February 6, 2025. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi/File Photo

(Reuters) - For years, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo demanded direct negotiations with Congolese authorities. Battlefield gains mean they can now afford to snub them to try to wring out more concessions.

When President Felix Tshisekedi's government, reeling from M23's capture of eastern Congo's two biggest cities, finally agreed over the weekend to talks with M23 on Tuesday in Angola, the rebels pulled out.