Congo Peace Talks Collapse as M23 Rebels Withdraw Over EU Sanctions

The M23 rebel group cites European Union sanctions as the reason for withdrawing from negotiations, escalating tensions in the eastern Congo conflict.

The M23 rebel group announced its withdrawal from planned peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo, scheduled for March 18 in Angola, citing EU sanctions imposed on its leaders and Rwandan officials.
The European Union sanctioned Rwandan military commanders and M23 leaders for their roles in the conflict and the illegal exploitation of Congo's mineral resources.
Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing it of bias and manipulation in pushing for EU sanctions, prompting reciprocal expulsions of diplomats by both nations.
The conflict in eastern Congo, involving the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, has displaced over 7 million people and caused thousands of deaths in 2025 alone, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
Angola, supported by the African Union, had been mediating the peace talks, but the breakdown underscores the ongoing challenges in resolving the region's long-standing conflict.