The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group swept through the mineral-rich east of the DRC earlier this year, taking two major cities, leaving thousands feared dead although figures are hard to confirm.

The talks are scheduled to start on Tuesday (March 18) in Angola’s capital city, Luanda. Joao Lourenco, the Angolan President, has been appointed to mediate the conflict by the African Union

The Luanda talks are expected to usher in peace and end a war that has claimed thousands and displaced millions of people since the start of the year.

Rwanda-backed armed group M23 on Sunday accused the Democratic Republic of Congo's government, which it has been fighting in the country's east.

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.

Angolan President has called for a ceasefire in the eastern DRC to pave the way for peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels

Democratic Republic of Congo 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 think again.

Democratic Republic of Congo is considering sending representatives to peace talks with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group that Angola plans to host next week, two government sources said on Thursday,

M23 fighters, backed by Rwanda, continue to advance into eastern DR Congo. While the rebels are outnumbered by the Congolese army, DW examines whether the military has the capacity to respond effectively.