In Dakar, Senegal, the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, announced on Monday their withdrawal from upcoming peace discussions with the Congolese government. The rebels are protesting recent international sanctions that they claim have impacted dialogue opportunities. The European Union’s sanctions against certain group members had been revealed on Monday, leading M23’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, to declare that the discussions scheduled to begin in Luanda, Angola, this Tuesday are no longer feasible.
Kanyuka expressed that continued military offensives by Congo’s forces also hinder any productive negotiations. As a result, M23 has opted out of participating in the proposed talks.
Initially, Congo’s government was hesitant to engage in talks but later agreed to participate in the discussions in Angola. A delegation from Congo has already been sent to Luanda, according to Tina Salama, the spokesperson for President Felix Tshisekedi, despite the president’s earlier refusal to directly negotiate with the rebels.
M23 had also intended to send representatives to Luanda, as confirmed by Kanyuka through a post on the X platform. Earlier this year, the conflict in eastern Congo intensified with M23’s capture of the strategic cities of Goma in January and Bukavu in February. Angola, assuming the role of mediator, announced it would host direct peace talks between Congo and M23.
The anticipated November talks fell apart after Rwanda made it a condition for peace that direct negotiations with M23 occur, which Congo rejected. President Tshisekedi has long maintained that engaging in dialogue with the M23, which he labels as a terrorist organization, is a line Congo will not cross.
M23 is but one of around 100 armed factions competing for control in Congo’s richly-resourced east, an area strife with humanitarian crises. According to U.N. experts, the rebels are bolstered by around 4,000 Rwandan soldiers and have even threatened to reach Congo’s capital, Kinshasa.
The U.N. Human Rights Council last month initiated an investigation into reported atrocities in the region, including claims of severe human rights violations by all involved parties. Meanwhile, international pressure mounts on Rwanda due to European Union sanctions against five Rwandan nationals, including high-ranking military personnel active in eastern Congo.
In response, Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium and expelled Belgian diplomats following Brussels’ suspension of development aid. Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused Belgium of detrimental interference in Rwanda.
Additionally, the U.S. has shown interest in collaborating with Congo on mining ventures, with preliminary talks having already commenced. President Tshisekedi recently had discussions with U.S. special envoy Ronny Jackson regarding possible security and economic partnerships. Jackson emphasized the importance of ensuring peace in Congo to facilitate American investment.
