M23 rebels pull out of peace talks with Congo after EU sanctions
The Congo River Alliance said in a statement that the EU's actions were aimed at "obstructing the much-anticipated talks".
The M23 rebel group has announced its decision to withdraw from the planned peace talks with the DRC government in Luanda, Angola. The group cited the imposition of European Union sanctions on its members as the main reason for pulling out.
In a statement released on Monday evening, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka expressed deep regret over the developments, condemning the actions of international institutions.
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“The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) deeply regrets that certain international institutions are deliberately undermining peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and obstructing the much-anticipated talks,” Kanyuka wrote on X.
He further emphasised that the sanctions imposed on M23 members, especially those enacted just before the scheduled Luanda discussions, were a significant hindrance to the possibility of a productive dialogue.
“These sanctions severely undermine direct dialogue and make any progress impossible,” Kanyuka continued, calling the situation "incomprehensible and ambiguous."
He criticised the stance of international powers, accusing them of enabling continued hostilities in the region. “This incomprehensible and ambiguous stance only encourages Mr Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo to continue with his warmongering programme,” he added.
The withdrawal from talks is a significant setback for ongoing peace efforts in the region, where violence has plagued the eastern provinces of the DRC for years. M23, a rebel group made up primarily of ethnic Tutsi fighters, has been in conflict with the DRC government, and international stakeholders have worked to mediate peace agreements over the past few months.
In his statement, Kanyuka also turned the spotlight on the actions of the DRC government, accusing the coalition forces of Kinshasa of escalating the conflict.
"AFC/M23 draws the attention of the international and national community to the warmongering campaign of the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime through multiple ground attacks and indiscriminate bombardments of densely populated areas," he said.
Kanyuka claimed that the DRC forces have been using fighter jets and CH-4 combat drones in their offensive, further escalating the violence.
Earlier on Monday, Kanyuka reported that a delegation from the M23 rebel group had been sent to Angola’s capital, Luanda. The group has taken control of key, mineral-rich areas in eastern DRC since the start of this year, launching a major offensive that has resulted in the deaths of thousands.
A separate delegation representing the DRC was already in Luanda ahead of Tuesday’s talks. President Tshisekedi had previously rejected direct negotiations with the rebel group, despite the longstanding and deeply rooted nature of the conflict.
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