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Rebels claim that EU ruined DR Congo peace discussions
(MENAFN) Just hours before scheduled negotiations in Angola, fighters from the M23 rebel group abruptly withdrew from peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government, accusing the European Union of undermining diplomatic efforts.
The decision follows the EU’s announcement of sanctions against five senior M23 leaders, including the group’s president, Bertrand Bisimwa, for alleged human rights violations in their renewed offensive against the Congolese government. The sanctions impose travel bans, asset freezes, and prohibit EU citizens and companies from providing financial support to the designated individuals.
In response, the rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes M23, condemned the sanctions as a deliberate move to sabotage peace efforts. "Successive sanctions imposed on our members, especially those enacted just before the Luanda discussions, severely undermine direct dialogue and make any progress impossible," the AFC said in a statement, announcing its withdrawal from negotiations.
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC has led to the deaths of at least 8,500 people, including civilians, children, and international peacekeepers, according to official figures. M23 militants have seized key cities, including Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
Angolan President João Lourenço had offered to mediate peace talks between M23 and the Congolese government, with ceasefire negotiations scheduled for Tuesday. The rebel group had previously expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, with its leader, Bisimwa, calling negotiations "the only civilized option to resolve the crisis that has lasted for decades."
Kinshasa, which has long accused neighboring Rwanda of backing M23, agreed to send a delegation to the talks in Angola. However, the Congolese government has maintained that it prefers to negotiate directly with Rwanda rather than the rebel group itself.
In a separate move, the EU also imposed sanctions on senior Rwandan military officials, including special forces commander Ruki Karusisi, accusing them of fueling instability in the DRC. Rwanda, which has repeatedly denied involvement in the conflict, responded by severing diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing its former colonial ruler of pressuring Western nations to impose sanctions. In retaliation, Belgium expelled Rwandan diplomats and suspended cooperation agreements.
With the rebels pulling out of negotiations and tensions escalating between Rwanda and Western powers, hopes for a peaceful resolution in the DRC remain uncertain.
The decision follows the EU’s announcement of sanctions against five senior M23 leaders, including the group’s president, Bertrand Bisimwa, for alleged human rights violations in their renewed offensive against the Congolese government. The sanctions impose travel bans, asset freezes, and prohibit EU citizens and companies from providing financial support to the designated individuals.
In response, the rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes M23, condemned the sanctions as a deliberate move to sabotage peace efforts. "Successive sanctions imposed on our members, especially those enacted just before the Luanda discussions, severely undermine direct dialogue and make any progress impossible," the AFC said in a statement, announcing its withdrawal from negotiations.
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC has led to the deaths of at least 8,500 people, including civilians, children, and international peacekeepers, according to official figures. M23 militants have seized key cities, including Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
Angolan President João Lourenço had offered to mediate peace talks between M23 and the Congolese government, with ceasefire negotiations scheduled for Tuesday. The rebel group had previously expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, with its leader, Bisimwa, calling negotiations "the only civilized option to resolve the crisis that has lasted for decades."
Kinshasa, which has long accused neighboring Rwanda of backing M23, agreed to send a delegation to the talks in Angola. However, the Congolese government has maintained that it prefers to negotiate directly with Rwanda rather than the rebel group itself.
In a separate move, the EU also imposed sanctions on senior Rwandan military officials, including special forces commander Ruki Karusisi, accusing them of fueling instability in the DRC. Rwanda, which has repeatedly denied involvement in the conflict, responded by severing diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing its former colonial ruler of pressuring Western nations to impose sanctions. In retaliation, Belgium expelled Rwandan diplomats and suspended cooperation agreements.
With the rebels pulling out of negotiations and tensions escalating between Rwanda and Western powers, hopes for a peaceful resolution in the DRC remain uncertain.
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