Talks scheduled for Sunday between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to resolve the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC were abruptly canceled after deadlock in negotiations. The talks, hosted by Angolan President Joao Lourenco as the African Union mediator, had raised hopes of a breakthrough in ending the violence fueled by a Rwanda-backed rebel militia, the M23, which has been wreaking havoc since 2021.
The peace summit was scheduled to include key leaders, but just before midday, Angolan officials confirmed the cancellation. A statement from Angola’s media office revealed that President Lourenco would meet with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi alone, without the presence of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Negotiations stalled due to Rwanda’s insistence that the DRC hold direct talks with the M23 rebels, an ethnic Tutsi militia supported by Kigali. The Congolese government has firmly rejected this precondition, arguing that the M23’s existence is the direct result of Rwandan military backing. While Kigali remains steadfast in its demand for talks with the rebels, the Congolese government contends that resolving the conflict requires Rwanda’s full withdrawal from Congolese territory.
The cancellation of the talks follows a series of intense skirmishes between Rwandan and Congolese forces, despite a fragile ceasefire mediated by Angola in early August. The ongoing violence has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, where millions are displaced, and towns like Goma are now surrounded by rebel forces.
Analysts suggest that the resolution to the conflict hinges on the disbandment of armed militias like the FDLR, which operates along the Rwanda-DRC border. However, disagreements over the timeline for Rwanda’s withdrawal and the neutralization of such militias have complicated peace efforts, with a previous draft agreement rejected by the DRC.
The latest collapse of peace talks is a significant setback in the ongoing efforts to stabilize the region. The international community continues to call for a lasting resolution to the conflict, which has had devastating consequences for both nations and the wider Great Lakes region.
