M23 rebels withdrew from Angola peace talks, citing EU sanctions. Rwanda cut ties with Belgium. Despite past reluctance, DRC's President Tshisekedi agreed to talks but will proceed without M23. Fighting in eastern Congo has intensified, displacing thousands.

The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group announced on Monday that it was withdrawing from the peace talks scheduled to take place on Tuesday in Angola.

The M23 rebels had been set to engage in direct negotiations with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict in the country’s eastern region.

However, the Congo River Alliance, a coalition of rebel groups that includes M23, stated that it was pulling out of the discussions due to sanctions imposed earlier in the day by the European Union against M23 and Rwandan officials.

In a statement, the coalition described the EU’s actions as an attempt to obstruct the much-anticipated talks.

Meanwhile, Rwanda also announced earlier in the day that it was severing diplomatic ties with its former colonial ruler, Belgium, accusing Brussels of attempting to sustain its neo-colonial delusions.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi had previously declined direct negotiations with the M23 rebels, who have been engaged in armed conflict with the government for more than a decade.

However, following a meeting with his Angolan counterpart—who has been mediating the conflict—Tshisekedi recently stated that he was now open to talks with M23.

Following the M23’s withdrawal from the negotiations, Tina Salama, a spokesperson for Tshisekedi, confirmed that the government delegation would still proceed with its planned trip to Luanda, Angola.

The M23 intensified its military offensive earlier this year. Despite assertions by both the United States and United Nations experts that Rwanda has been supporting the rebels, Kigali has continued to deny any involvement.

M23 is one of approximately 100 armed groups that have been fighting for control in mineral-rich eastern Congo, near the border with Rwanda.

Since the escalation of hostilities earlier this year, the rebel group has captured two major cities in eastern Congo. The fighting has resulted in the deaths of thousands and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people since the beginning of the year.