The M23 rebels said they have withdrawn from consultations with the Democratic Republic of Congo government.
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group said it would withdraw from peace negotiations set for Tuesday in Angola on Monday.
The M23 rebels planned direct negotiations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to end the conflict in the country’s east.
However, the Congo River Alliance, a rebel group, including the M23 group, said it had withdrawn from consultations due to sanctions imposed by the EU on M23 and Rwandan officials.
The Rebel Group Coalition said in a statement that the EU’s actions were intended to “stricken the much-anticipated consultation.”
Rwanda also said earlier that day it was cutting diplomatic ties with its former colonial ruler Belgium, and Kigali accused Brussels of “trying to maintain neocolonial delusions.”
Discussions to end the battle in Congo
Congolese President Felix Tssisekedi had previously refused to discuss directly with the M23 rebels who had previously fought the government for over a decade.
However, Tshisekedi announced last week that he was ready to meet with the M23 group after a meeting with his Angolan counterpart, who acted as a mediator of the conflict.
Tshisekedi spokesman Tina Salama said after M23’s withdrawal, the government delegation will travel to Luanda anyway.
The M23 escalated the battle earlier this year. Despite allegations by US and UN experts, Rwanda has denied supporting rebels.
The M23 is one of around 100 armed groups competing for a mineral-rich East Congo scaffolding near the Rwanda border.
Rebel groups have seized two major cities in eastern Congo since the fighting escalated this year. The battle killed thousands and drove hundreds of thousands from the beginning of the year.
Edited by: Jennifer Kamino Gonzalez, Wessle Dockery
Roshni Majumdar Roshni is the editor and author of DW’s online breaking news desk.
