Congo President Considers Sitting Down With M23 Rebels

Democratic Republic of Congo DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has long ruled out dialogue with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels rampaging through eastern parts of his country, but a string of defeats and waning regional support have forced him to think again.

Neighbouring Angola caught many by surprise this week by saying Congo and M23 would sit down for direct talks in its capital on March 18, at a time when the rebels are still seizing territory rich with coltan, tantalum and other minerals.

Tshisekedis government has so far not committed publicly, but three government sources told Reuters this week he was seriously considering sending a delegation.

With Congos army and allied forces putting up weak resistance to the rebel advance, regional powers appear in agreement that dialogue is the only way forward, diplomats and analysts said.

I havent talked to a single African country that says Kinshasa shouldnt talk to M23, one senior diplomat said.