Angola will step down as mediator in the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel conflict in eastern Congo to focus on its AU priorities. Another African state will take over mediation efforts.

Angola will withdraw from its role as a mediator in the escalating Rwanda-backed rebel offensive in eastern Congo, the presidency announced on Monday. Another African state is expected to take over efforts to revive peace talks.

This year, the M23 rebels intensified their long-standing conflict, capturing the two largest cities in eastern Congo since January and advancing into mineral-rich areas containing resources like gold and tantalum. As the current rotating Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Angola's President Joao Lourenço had been working to mediate a lasting ceasefire and ease tensions between Congo and Rwanda. Rwanda has been accused of supporting M23, though it denies these claims.

Plans were made for Congo and M23 to hold direct talks for the first time in Angola’s capital, Luanda, last week. This development followed a decision by Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi, who had previously refused to negotiate with the rebels, to send a delegation. However, M23 withdrew from the talks at the last minute, following European Union sanctions imposed on the group and Rwandan officials.

According to Reuters, the Angolan presidency explained that the country sees a need to step back from mediating the conflict to focus more on the broader priorities of the African Union. The presidency’s statement referred to the "aborted" meeting in Luanda and indicated that a new head of state would soon be appointed to take on the mediation role.

There have been multiple efforts to address the conflict, rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda's 1994 genocide and competition for mineral wealth. These attempts have included several ceasefires, which were repeatedly violated, as well as international condemnations, sanctions, and regional summits.