M23 rebels withdraw from Congo peace talks

M23 rebels this week said they were pulling out of talks with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) because European Union (EU) sanctions against Rwandan officials “undermined” negotiations.

The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group said it will withdraw from peace talks that were set to take place in Angola yesterday.

The M23 rebels had planned direct negotiations with the government of the DRC to end the conflict in the country’s east.

But the Congo River Alliance of rebel groups, which includes the M23 group, said it was pulling out of talks because of sanctions imposed by the EU earlier on Monday against M23 and Rwandan officials.

The rebel group coalition said in a statement that the EU actions were aimed at “obstructing the much-anticipated talks”.

Rwanda also said it was cutting diplomatic ties with its former colonial ruler Belgium, with Kigali accusing Brussels of attempting to “sustain its neo-colonial delusions”.

Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi had previously refused direct talks with the M23 rebels, who have fought the government for more than a decade.

But Tshisekedi announced last week he was ready to meet with the M23 group after a meeting with his Angolan counterpart, who has acted as a mediator in the conflict.

Tina Salama, a spokesperson for Tshisekedi, said after the M23’s withdrawal the government delegation would travel to Luanda anyway.

The M23 escalated its fight earlier in the year. Despite assertions by the United States and United Nations, Rwanda has denied supporting the rebels.

M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda.

The rebel group seized two big cities in eastern Congo since fighting escalated this year. The fighting has killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands since the beginning of the year.