The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have withdrawn from peace talks in Angola set for March 18, 2025. Their decision follows European Union sanctions imposed on the group and Rwandan officials, which they believe obstruct the negotiations. The Congo River Alliance characterized these EU actions as detrimental to peace efforts.
On March 17, 2025, the Rwanda-supported M23 rebels announced their withdrawal from scheduled peace talks in Angola, which were intended to address the ongoing conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The decision to withdraw was influenced by recently imposed European Union sanctions targeting the M23 group and specific Rwandan officials. The Congo River Alliance, to which M23 belongs, stated that the EU’s actions were obstructive to the highly anticipated negotiations.
The withdrawal of the M23 rebels from peace talks, primarily due to EU sanctions, poses significant challenges to resolving the conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. As negotiations stall, the future of peace in the region remains uncertain, emphasizing the critical impact of international sanctions on local conflicts.
Original Source: www.dw.com