The government of Congo is to meet with M23 rebels next week in Angola, in an attempt to make peace after tensions escalated between the two in January. A statement from Angolan President João Lourenço's office said the parties would begin “direct peace negotiations” in the Angolan capital Luanda.

Angola has acted as a mediator in the conflict in eastern Congo , which escalated in late January when the Rwanda-backed rebels advanced and took control of the strategic eastern Congo city of Goma. M23 seized Bukavu, eastern Congo’s second biggest city, last month.

DAKAR, Senegal — Congo’s government and the M23 rebel group will participate in peace talks on March 18, Angola said Wednesday. A statement from Angolan President João Lourenço’s office said they would begin “direct peace negotiations” in the Angolan capital, Luanda.