M23 Accuses DRC Government of Sabotaging Peace Talks Amid Ceasefire Appeal

Tensions in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to rise as M23, the Rwanda-backed rebel group, accuses the Congolese government of attempting to sabotage planned peace talks in Angola. The accusation comes after Angolan President Joao Lourenco’s call for a ceasefire—an appeal that, so far, no party has honored.

M23 Alleges DRC Government Bombing Civilians

The spokesman for M23 and the Congo River Alliance (AFC), Lawrence Kanyuka, alleged that the DRC government had intensified military action against the group despite planned peace negotiations.

“This deadly escalation… demonstrates the Kinshasa regime’s intent to sabotage the long-awaited dialogue,” Kanyuka stated in a post on X. He accused the government of using fighter jets and drones to bomb densely populated areas in recent days.

While these claims remain unverified, the DRC government has yet to respond to the accusations.

Angola’s Peace Talks in Jeopardy?

Despite past reluctance to negotiate with M23, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has agreed to send a delegation to Luanda for direct talks, following his recent visit to Angola.

“A delegation from the DRC will travel to Luanda on Tuesday at the invitation of the mediator to hear what they have to say,” said Tina Salama, a spokesperson for Tshisekedi. However, no further details have been provided on whether the delegation will fully engage in negotiations.

Meanwhile, M23 has acknowledged Angola’s invitation and expressed willingness to participate, despite their allegations against the DRC government.

A Fragile Ceasefire Ignored

On Saturday, Angolan President Joao Lourenco called for a ceasefire to begin at midnight on Sunday, hoping to de-escalate hostilities ahead of the talks. However, neither party has publicly committed to the ceasefire, raising fears that ongoing clashes could derail the peace process before discussions even begin.

The conflict in eastern DRC has been marked by growing instability. Since January, M23 has seized key cities, including Goma and Bukavu, in a region rich in natural resources. UN experts estimate that the group has received support from approximately 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, further escalating tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.

What’s Next?

With peace talks scheduled in Luanda and the conflict intensifying, the future of eastern DRC remains uncertain. Whether the GNU-backed government in Kinshasa and M23 can reach a resolution depends on the willingness of both parties to engage in meaningful negotiations.

For now, the people of eastern DRC remain trapped in a cycle of violence, waiting to see whether diplomacy will succeed where military action has failed.

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