The much-anticipated peace talks scheduled for Angola between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts in the eastern DRC have been abruptly cancelled due to a deadlock in negotiations.
The talks were scheduled to take place on Sunday but have been called off after Rwandan President Paul Kagame failed to attend.
Ex-Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was present at the talks, highlighting his continued engagement in African diplomacy. However, the absence of Kagame has raised concerns about the future of the peace process.
The conflict, which has escalated since 2021, involves a Rwanda-backed rebel group known as M23. This militia has seized large areas of eastern DRC, displacing thousands and exacerbating a humanitarian crisis. DRC officials have labeled M23 as terrorists, complicating the dialogue further.
Angola’s President Joao Lourenco, serving as the African Union’s mediator, was in discussions with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi when it was announced that the summit would not proceed. “Contrary to what we expected, the summit will no longer be held today,” said Mario Jorge, head of the Angolan presidency’s media office.
The main point of contention appears to be Rwanda’s demand for the DRC to engage in direct dialogue with the M23 rebels. “There is a stalemate because the Rwandans have set as a precondition for the signing of an agreement that the DRC hold a direct dialogue with the M23,” stated Giscard Kusema, spokesman for the Congolese presidency.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe emphasized the need for a “firm commitment from the DRC” to resume talks with the M23 within a clear framework and timeline. However, the Congolese government contends that the existence of M23 is primarily due to Rwandan military support.
“If Kigali is in good faith in the negotiations and on its promise to withdraw its troops from Congolese soil, the conflict will end with the M23, and at the same time, it will stop with Rwanda,” a source from the Congolese government remarked.
The fragile truce established in August has not resulted in lasting peace, as skirmishes have continued along the front lines. The eastern DRC, rich in minerals, has endured decades of violence from both internal and cross-border conflicts.
During a recent address in parliament, President Tshisekedi labeled the M23 and Rwanda as “enemies of the Republic,” as Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, faces increasing threats from both the rebels and Rwandan forces. The city, home to approximately one million residents, is nearly surrounded by M23 militants.
In a bid to monitor ceasefire violations, the two neighboring countries established a committee led by Angola, which includes representatives from both the DRC and Rwanda. A strategic document outlining the terms for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops was also approved, although the DRC has insisted that the dismantling of the FDLR militia, a group composed of ethnic Hutus involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, must occur simultaneously.
The ongoing negotiations reflect a complex web of regional dynamics, highlighting the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the conflict that continues to affect millions in the region.
