Tina Salama, spokesperson for the DRC presidency, told the media that the DRC delegation, originally scheduled to depart for Luanda late Monday, would still proceed with the trip despite the M23's absence. Last Wednesday, Angola announced it would host direct peace negotiations between the DRC government and the M23 rebels in Luanda on March 18. ■

Talks, which the DRC government previously rejected, sought to resolve the conflict in the east of the country.