Rwanda-DRC Peace Talks Cancelled Amid Growing Tensions in Eastern Congo. Peace negotiations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to resolve ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC have been abruptly called off, as confirmed by Angola, the key mediator facilitating the discussions.
“Contrary to what was initially planned, the summit will not take place today,” stated Mario Jorge, the media officer for the Angolan presidency, on Sunday. He did not provide further clarification regarding the sudden cancellation. Angolan President João Lourenço, acting as the African Union-appointed mediator, met solely with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi after the announcement.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who was expected to attend the meeting, did not appear at the mediation, and his whereabouts in Angola remain unclear.
In an official statement, the DRC presidency attributed the meeting’s cancellation to the Rwandan delegation’s refusal to participate. Rwanda’s foreign ministry cited a lack of agreement on direct negotiations between the DRC government and the M23 rebel group as the reason behind their absence. The failure to hold the summit dashed hopes of reaching a deal to address the violence and humanitarian crisis plaguing the eastern DRC.
The collapse of the peace talks came amid a surge in hostilities between the DRC military and the M23 rebel group. Just days before the summit, fighting escalated in North Kivu province, where M23 fighters reportedly killed 12 civilians in Lubero territory, according to DRC officials. M23 representatives have denied the allegations, dismissing them as “propaganda” from the Congolese government.
The conflict in the mineral-rich eastern DRC has been devastating, displacing over 7 million people and creating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Approximately 100 armed groups operate in the region, all fighting for control over territories and resources.
M23, a predominantly Tutsi-led rebel group, remains at the center of the conflict. The DRC government and United Nations have accused Rwanda of backing M23 militarily, a charge Rwanda has consistently denied. However, a recent UN expert report revealed that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan Defense Force (RDF) troops have been actively fighting alongside M23 rebels in the DRC.
While denying direct involvement, Rwanda admitted in February to having troops and missile systems in the eastern DRC, citing national security concerns and accusing the DRC of building up forces near their shared border. Kigali maintains that its actions are defensive, a stance that further complicates the peace process.
“Rwanda has insisted that any meaningful negotiations require direct engagement between the DRC government and M23 rebels, a condition Kinshasa has repeatedly rejected. For the DRC, direct talks would be tantamount to legitimizing the rebel group, which it considers a terrorist organization responsible for widespread atrocities”.
Efforts to resolve the conflict have repeatedly faltered. Last month, the foreign ministers of Rwanda and the DRC agreed on a framework for the disengagement of Rwandan forces from eastern Congo. Similarly, a ceasefire agreement signed in July between the DRC and M23, which came into effect in August, has been repeatedly violated, with fighting reigniting shortly afterward.
The United States and other international actors have expressed deep concern about the situation. Earlier this month, Washington condemned violations of the ceasefire by M23 rebels and urged all parties to commit peace. The U.S. statement underscored the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to address the escalating violence and its catastrophic impact on civilian populations.
Angola’s role as a mediator has been central to peace initiatives in the Great Lakes region. President Lourenço, who chairs the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), has sought to bring both parties to the negotiating table through a series of summits. However, the lack of trust and deeply entrenched positions on both sides have stalled progress.
The East African Community (EAC) has also deployed a regional force in eastern DRC, tasked with stabilizing the region and supporting peace initiatives. Despite these efforts, clashes between the DRC military, M23 rebels, and other armed groups continue unabated.
This March the foreign ministers of DRC and Rwanda came to terms regarding various conditions related to the pull out of Rwandese military from east of DRC. In July 2013, DRC agreed to cease fire with M23 with the ceasefire going into effect in August and however active fighting erupted again. The United States has described the continued fighting as cease fire violations perpetrated by M23 rebels as “serious concern”.
International pressure on both parties to adhere to prior agreements and engage in good-faith negotiations will be critical. Mediators like Angola and regional organizations must redouble their efforts to find common ground and address the root causes of the conflict, including competition for natural resources, insecurity, and political grievances.
As the situation stands, the cancellation of the Angola meeting marks yet another missed opportunity to forge a path toward peace in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
