The M23 group says the bloc’s actions undermine ceasefire efforts and obstruct the “much-anticipated” Angolan negotiations
Fighters from the M23 rebel group have pulled out of peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government, just hours before the warring parties were due to meet in Angola to find a solution to ongoing hostilities in the east of the country.
The decision comes after the EU announced sanctions against five senior leaders of the M23, including its president, Bertrand Bisimwa, for “serious human rights violations and abuses” in their renewed offensive against the government.
“Those designated are subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze. Furthermore, EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them,” the EU Council said in a statement on Monday.
In response, the rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes M23, said the EU measures were deliberate attempts to undermine peace efforts in the DR Congo and obstruct the “much-anticipated talks.”
“Successive sanctions imposed on our members, including those enacted on the eve of the Luanda discussions, severely undermine direct dialogue and make any progress impossible. Under these circumstances, the talks have become impracticable. Consequently, our organization can no longer continue to participate in the discussions,” the AFC stated.
According to official figures, at least 8,500 people, including children and international peacekeepers, have been killed in the Central African nation since clashes broke out between the rebels and Congolese forces at the beginning of the year, escalating a decades-old conflict. The militants have seized major cities, including the North Kivu capital, Goma, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco has offered to serve as a mediator in bringing the M23 and the Congolese government to the negotiating table, with direct ceasefire talks planned for Tuesday.
The militant group acknowledged receiving an invitation to participate in the talks in Angola’s capital, Luanda. Its leader, Bisimwa, had described dialogue as “the only civilized option to resolve the current crisis that has lasted for decades.”
Kinshasa has said it will send a delegation to Angola for the peace talks with the M23. The Congolese authorities had previously refused to hold discussions with the rebels, insisting they would only negotiate with Rwanda, which is allegedly supporting the armed group.
On Monday, the EU sanctioned top Rwanda Defense Force officials, including special forces commander Ruki Karusisi, “for sustaining the armed conflict, instability, and insecurity” in the DR Congo.
Earlier on Monday, Rwanda, which has repeatedly denied any involvement in the violence, criticized Belgium for inciting Western nations to impose sanctions on Kigali. The East African country severed diplomatic ties with Brussels and ordered its diplomats to leave Kigali within 48 hours.
The former colonial power responded by declaring Rwandan diplomats persona non grata and canceling cooperation agreements.
