The M23 rebel group has pulled out of peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo less than a day before negotiations were set to begin in Angola, citing fresh European Union sanctions against its leaders and Rwandan officials.
The Congo River Alliance, the political wing of M23, accused the EU of deliberately obstructing the long-awaited negotiations, calling the sanctions an act of interference.
The decision comes after Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who had long rejected direct talks with M23, finally agreed to send a delegation to Luanda following recent battlefield losses and diplomatic pressure from Angola. Despite M23’s withdrawal, Kinshasa confirmed its participation.
Escalating Conflict and Sanctions
The conflict in eastern Congo has escalated rapidly this year, with M23 seizing major cities, displacing hundreds of thousands, and deepening regional tensions. The UN and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing M23 with weapons and troops, allegations Kigali denies.
The latest EU sanctions target not only M23 figures but also Rwanda’s minerals board and a gold refinery, underscoring concerns over illicit resource exploitation fueling the war. Zobel Behalal, an expert at the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, said the measures highlight the economic motives behind Rwanda’s involvement.
Rwanda, meanwhile, responded by cutting diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing its former colonial ruler of leading the push for sanctions. Brussels condemned the move as disproportionate and vowed to expel Rwandan diplomats in retaliation.
With tensions escalating, the collapse of talks in Luanda raises further doubts about a peaceful resolution to the deadliest conflict in the region in decades.