DRC Peace Talks Continue as M23 Pulls Out

M23 Withdraws from Angola Peace Talks Amid EU Sanctions

M23 Rebels Pull Out of Angola Peace Talks

The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has announced its withdrawal from peace talks scheduled to take place in Luanda, Angola. The group had initially confirmed its participation in the first direct negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government, which remains committed to attending the meeting.

The abrupt decision by M23 follows the European Union’s recent imposition of sanctions on its leadership, including key military commanders of the Rwandan army.

In a statement posted on X, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated, "The consecutive sanctions imposed on our members severely impact direct negotiations and hinder any progress." He further emphasized that, due to these restrictions, the rebel group "can no longer take part in the discussions."

Despite M23's withdrawal, the DRC delegation has arrived in Luanda and remains ready to engage in talks. Félix Tshisekedi’s spokesperson confirmed their participation in an interview with the Associated Press, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

Escalating Conflict in Eastern DRC

M23 is among nearly 100 armed groups involved in a prolonged conflict over the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC, bordering Rwanda. The violence has led to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, displacing over seven million people and resulting in approximately 7,000 deaths since the start of this year.

The United Nations estimates that Rwanda has deployed around 4,000 troops in support of M23. However, Kigali maintains that its forces are only acting in self-defense against Congolese troops and militia groups that have targeted Rwandan territory.

Angola's government initially announced the peace negotiations on March 11 following discussions with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi. Despite M23's absence, the Angolan-led mediation efforts are expected to continue, aiming to bring stability to the war-torn region.