Following a lightning onslaught, the rebel forces of M23 movement allegedly backed by Rwanda took control of nearly the whole city of Goma, a vital hub for the trade of minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in late January 2025.

Southern & Eastern Africa Ministerial Meeting on DRC to Be Held in Zimbabwe: Reports

15:58, 15 March 2025

Ekaterina Shilova

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Since January, the M23 rebels have captured significant territories in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. The DRC authorities accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, a charge Kigali denies.

Sputnik

The meeting of foreign and defense ministers of Southern and Eastern Africa on the DRC is to be held in Zimbabwe on March 16-17, Russian media reported, citing a source from Zimbabwe.

The meeting is designed to prepare for the talks scheduled for March 18 in Luanda, mediated by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, between the DRC authorities and the M23 rebels, according to the DRC media.

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The participants in the meeting will consider a report from the commanders of the armed forces and chiefs of general staff of the SADC countries. The report will focus on ending hostilities between the DRC armed forces and M23, ensuring humanitarian access for the population, and developing a roadmap for future political dialogue.

The meeting in Harare is being organized in accordance with the resolutions of the joint SADC-EAC summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 7-8.