Congo And M23 Rebels Plan To Hold First Direct Talks On April 9

The Congo government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels aim to hold direct talks on April 9, sources from both camps said on Tuesday, a potential boost to Qatars efforts to end the Central African countrys worst fighting in decades.

The meeting in Doha would be the two sides first direct negotiations since M23 fighters captured eastern Congos two largest cities in a rapid offensive that has left thousands dead and forced hundreds of thousands more from their homes.

One Congolese official said that talks were scheduled for April 9 unless the other side misbehaves.

A source inside M23 confirmed the date and said it would present Kinshasa with its demands.

Both sides have agreed not to publicly discuss the substance of the talks, the sources said.