M23 Rebels Withdraw from Peace Talks with DRC Over EU Sanctions

By Ollus Ndomu
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has pulled out of scheduled peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government in Angola, citing recent European Union sanctions against its top officials.

Despite the withdrawal, Angola’s presidency insists the negotiations remain on track. President João Lourenço, appointed by the African Union to mediate the conflict, is continuing efforts to bring the warring parties to the table.

The European Union recently imposed sanctions on senior M23 leaders, including its head, Bertrand Bisimwa, as well as three Rwandan military commanders and Rwanda’s state-owned mining agency chief. The EU accuses Rwanda of backing armed groups operating in eastern Congo, a charge Kigali has repeatedly denied.

M23’s withdrawal raises further doubts about the prospects for peace in a region plagued by violence and humanitarian crises. While the Angolan government maintains that discussions will proceed, it remains unclear how negotiations can move forward without the participation of one of the main factions in the conflict.