Direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will begin in the Angolan capital on March 18, Angola's presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

Given the conflict in the East African region between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels, the Southern African country of Angola has opted to intervene. ・Angola to mediate between DRC and M23 rebels.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the M23 rebel group will hold direct peace talks in Luanda, Angola’s capital, on March 18, the Angolan government announced late Wednesday. Angola’s Presidency confirmed the talks in a Facebook statement.

The announcement, made by Angola's Presidency on Tuesday, came after a visit by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to Luanda earlier in the day, raising hopes that the fighting in the eastern parts of the DRC might ease and not descend into a wider regional war,

The Congolese government has backtracked on a move to tax goods coming from areas controlled by the M23 rebel group, following an overnight public outcry. The Congolese General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA) of North Kivu said on Wednesday that it had reversed the decision,

The Democratic Republic of Congo government and the M23 rebel group are to hold direct peace talks on 18 March, Angola said Wednesday. A statement from Angolan President João Lourenço’s office said they would begin “peace negotiations” in the Angolan capital,

A revised Budget 2025 presented on Wednesday by South Africa’s finance minister was immediately rejected by major political parties, even though a proposed increase in value-added tax was sharply reduced.