Faith Nyasuguta
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have withdrawn from planned peace talks with the Congolese government, citing new international sanctions as a major obstacle to the negotiations. The talks were set to take place on Tuesday in Luanda, Angola, as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Lawrence Kanyuka, M23’s spokesperson, announced the group’s decision on Monday, blaming the European Union’s sanctions imposed that same day on several of its members. According to Kanyuka, these measures undermined the dialogue process, making the talks “impracticable.” He also accused Congo’s military of continuing offensives in the conflict-hit region, further jeopardizing any chance of meaningful negotiations.
“Consequently, our organization can no longer continue to participate in the discussions,” Kanyuka stated.
Congo’s government, after previously rejecting dialogue with M23, had agreed to attend the talks in Angola. A Congolese delegation had already arrived in Luanda, according to Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Felix Tshisekedi. M23 had also sent representatives before deciding to withdraw.
The conflict in eastern Congo has intensified in recent months. In January, M23 rebels captured the strategic city of Goma, followed by Bukavu in February. The rebels, supported by around 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, have long fought for control over the region, which is rich in valuable minerals. The violence has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, displacing over 7 million people.
Angola has been mediating between Congo and Rwanda, whose government denies directly backing the rebels despite mounting evidence cited by United Nations experts. The Luanda talks were seen as a crucial step toward ending the violence.
This isn’t the first time peace efforts have faltered. In December, negotiations between Congo and Rwanda collapsed when Rwanda made its participation conditional on direct talks between Congo and M23, a demand Congo refused. Tshisekedi has repeatedly labeled M23 a “terrorist group,” vowing never to negotiate directly.
The EU sanctions targeted nine individuals, including five Rwandans and four Congolese nationals linked to M23, accusing them of contributing to the conflict. Rwanda’s only gold refinery, Gasabo Gold Refinery, was also sanctioned for allegedly fueling illegal mining operations in eastern Congo.
As international pressure mounts, diplomatic tensions are flaring. On Monday, Rwanda cut ties with Belgium after Brussels suspended development aid to Kigali. Meanwhile, the United States has shown increasing interest in Congo’s resources, with discussions underway about potential American investment in the country’s mining sector.
With peace talks now derailed and fighting continuing, hopes for a resolution remain slim. The situation leaves millions displaced, communities devastated, and global powers vying for influence in a region crucial to the tech industry due to its rich deposits of minerals used in smartphones and computers.
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