The recent military gains by the M23 in eastern DR Congo have further demonstrated that while the Kinshasa regime continues to sound war drums, they are far too weak militarily to win against a determined M23.

Meanwhile, while the Congolese government with its coalition of armed groups has vowed to resist M23 advances, the military option is not a viable long-term solution and carries significant risks.

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Despite their military successes, the M23 has repeatedly expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the Kinshasa regime, even after they captured the strategic town of Goma in North Kivu Province. This presents a crucial opportunity for Kinshasa to de-escalate the situation and pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The DR Congo government must recognize that military confrontation will only prolong the suffering of the Congolese people and further destabilise the Great Lakes region.

However, any dialogue must be conducted in good faith. The DR Congo government must be prepared to address the root causes of the conflict, including the grievances of the M23 since these have been clearly articulated. This requires a genuine commitment to political reforms, addressing corruption, and ensuring the equal distribution of power and resources.

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The Kinshasa government has a history of entering into peace agreements only to renege on its commitments. This pattern of broken promises has eroded trust and undermined the credibility of the peace process.

For any future dialogue to be successful, the DR Congo government must demonstrate a genuine commitment to implementing its commitments and ensuring the long-term stability of the country.

The time for military confrontation is over. The Congolese government must seize this opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with the M23 and all other relevant stakeholders. Only through peaceful negotiation and a commitment to genuine political reforms can the DR Congo achieve lasting peace and stability.

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Finally, it is important that regional leaders avoid ‘cutting deals’ with President Felix Tshisekedi for personal gain which has been a key factor in stalling regional-led processes to bring peace in this volatile region.