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,

Direct peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will begin in the Angolan capital on 18 March, Angola's presidency said in a statement on Wednesday. The Congolese presidency has for now only acknowledged receiving the message.

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.

Congo's former President Joseph Kabila has initiated talks with opposition politicians about the country's political future as Rwanda-backed rebels seize territory in the east, five sources familiar with the outreach told Reuters.

Angola has announced plans to act as a mediator in the conflict between Congo and the Rwandan-backed rebel group M23.

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.

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.

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. In February, M23 seized Bukavu, eastern Congo’s second biggest city.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has until now rejected direct talks with the M23 and the government has not officially confirmed its participation.