The M23 rebel group has pulled out of scheduled peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), just hours before the negotiations were set to begin in Angola. The decision comes after the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions on M23 and Rwandan officials, which the rebels claim were intended to obstruct dialogue.
The Congo River Alliance, of which M23 is a key member, expressed disappointment over the timing of the EU’s actions, stating that the sanctions severely undermined efforts to engage in direct negotiations. Despite this, the Congolese government confirmed its participation in the talks, with a delegation set to travel to Luanda as planned.
President Felix Tshisekedi had long resisted direct negotiations with M23, arguing that the group operates as a proxy for Rwanda. However, following a series of battlefield setbacks and diplomatic pressure from Angola, he agreed to send representatives to the talks.
The conflict in eastern Congo has escalated rapidly since January, with M23 rebels seizing key cities, leading to widespread displacement and casualties. International powers, including the United Nations, accuse Rwanda of providing arms and military support to the rebels, a claim Kigali denies, insisting its actions are in self-defense against Congolese forces and militias hostile to Rwanda.
The EU’s latest sanctions targeted not only M23 but also Rwanda’s mines board and a gold refinery, highlighting concerns over the exploitation of natural resources in the conflict. Experts have pointed to the economic motivations behind Rwanda’s involvement, with illicit profits from mining fueling instability in the region.
Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions escalated further when Rwanda severed ties with Belgium, expelling its diplomats in retaliation for Brussels’ call for stronger EU measures against Kigali. Belgium responded in kind, declaring Rwandan diplomats persona non grata.
As tensions mount, the prospect of a peaceful resolution remains uncertain, with the collapse of the planned Luanda talks marking a major setback for diplomatic efforts in the region.