The M23 rebel group announced Monday that it is withdrawing from scheduled peace talks with the Congolese government in Luanda, Angola, citing newly imposed international sanctions on its members. The Rwanda-backed rebels said the sanctions, along with continued military operations in eastern Congo, have made dialogue “impracticable.”
The European Union sanctioned several M23 leaders on Monday, including political leader Bertrand Bisimwa and three other high-ranking members. Rwanda’s only gold refinery, Gasabo Gold Refinery, was also targeted, accused of contributing to the “illegal extraction and trafficking of natural resources” from eastern Congo.
M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement that the group could no longer participate in discussions given these sanctions and alleged ongoing military offensives by Congo’s forces.
Congo’s government, after initially rejecting negotiations, confirmed its participation and sent a delegation to Luanda. President Félix Tshisekedi’s spokesperson, Tina Salama, said the team had already arrived in Angola for the talks. M23 also had representatives in Luanda before announcing its withdrawal.
The conflict in eastern Congo has intensified since January, with M23 rebels capturing key cities, including Goma and Bukavu. Angola, acting as a mediator, had planned to host direct negotiations between the Congolese government and M23.
A previous attempt at peace talks between Congo and Rwanda collapsed in December when Rwanda insisted on Congo engaging directly with M23—a condition Kinshasa refused at the time. Tshisekedi previously ruled out negotiating with M23, calling the group a “terrorist organization.”
The ongoing conflict has displaced more than seven million people, making it one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. The United Nations reports that M23 is supported by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops and has, at times, threatened to march toward Congo’s capital, Kinshasa.
The European Union’s latest sanctions add to the growing international pressure on Rwanda. On Monday, Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium and expelled Belgian diplomats following Brussels’ decision to suspend development aid to Kigali. Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused Belgium of attempting to destabilize his country. Meanwhile, the U.S. has expressed interest in a mining partnership with Congo. The U.S. State Department confirmed preliminary discussions had begun, and on Sunday, Tshisekedi met with U.S. special envoy Rep. Ronny Jackson to explore security and economic cooperation
