Thousands have been killed and 700,000 displaced this year, after Rwandan troops and M23 rebels invaded eastern Congo.

Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will engage in direct negotiations in the coming days to end the conflict in the country’s mineral-rich east, according to the presidency of Angola, which will mediate the talks.

President Felix Tshisekedi, who has long ruled out dialogue with M23, considered changing his position after a string of defeats as regional support for Congo has waned.