Congo M23 rebels will no longer join peace talks in Angola on Tuesday

18/3/2025 7:16

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels said on Monday that they had withdrawn from planned peace talks aimed at resolving a spiralling conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo after the EU imposed sanctions on its leader and on Rwandan army commanders.



Earlier on Monday, the group said it would be sending a delegation to Angola's capital Luanda on Tuesday, one day after Congo confirmed its participation, reversing the government's long-standing vow not to negotiate with the rebels.



The rebels have launched a major offensive in the east of the Congo, gaining ground this year they had never controlled before, including east Congo's two biggest cities and a host of smaller localities.



The M23 backtracked on peace talks after the European Union announced sanctions related to the offensive which targeted its political leader Bertrand Bisimwa and Rwandan army commanders among others. Rwanda denies backing the Tutsi-led rebel group.