Rwanda-DRC Peace Talks in Luanda Canceled After DRC Refuses to Engage with M23 Rebel Group

The talks, which were scheduled for this past Sunday, were aimed at addressing the tense relationship between the two countries, stemming from the ongoing insecurity in the eastern DRC. Ambassador Nduhungirehe explained to IGIHE that the talks were called off because the DRC did not honor its commitment to engage with the M23 group, a promise made just days earlier.

He said, "The DRC refused to talk to M23, contrary to what they had agreed to just a few days ago."
He also clarified that on November 30, 2024, Angola, acting as a mediator in this issue, had informed both parties that the DRC had agreed to hold talks with the M23. "Yes, we were informed by the mediator on November 30," he added.

Minister Nduhungirehe recently emphasized that three key things are needed to resolve the issues in eastern Congo: political will from the DRC, the dismantling of the FDLR rebel group, and halting cooperation with foreign armies and armed groups.

These talks were preceded by a meeting between delegates from both countries, which took place in Luanda. The ministers of foreign affairs from the two countries were involved in drafting an agreement that was to be presented to their respective heads of state.

Rwanda reminded the DRC that peace talks aimed at ending the security crisis in the DRC must include the M23 group, as it is the one involved in the fighting. However, the DRC rejected this, which led to the postponement of the talks scheduled for December 15, 2024.

Angola, as the mediator, announced that the talks would no longer take place after DRC President Félix Tshisekedi had already arrived in Luanda. A meeting between Tshisekedi and Angola’s President João Lourenço was immediately arranged, and Uhuru Kenyatta, who had been tasked with mediating talks between Congo and its opposing rebel groups in the Nairobi discussions, was also invited.

Since halting hostilities with the DRC's armed forces at the end of 2021, the M23 has expressed its desire for talks to address issues, including the mistreatment of Congolese Tutsis. The DRC government had previously agreed to engage in discussions with the M23 and other armed groups operating in the country, based on a framework provided by the leaders of the East African Community during their 2022 meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.

Initially, M23 representatives participated in these talks, but on the second day, they were expelled by President Tshisekedi’s special envoy, Serge Tshibangu, who accused them of resuming hostilities. M23 has since stated that it should not be excluded from the Luanda talks and informed the mediators that any decisions made without their involvement would not be acceptable.