Peace talks planned between Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo collapse over rebel dialogue stalemate

Planned peace talks on Sunday (December 15) between the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to address the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo were called off after negotiations hit a deadlock, officials said.

The summit, hosted by Angolan President Joao Lourenco under the African Union’s mediation efforts, was expected to pave the way for a deal to end fighting in eastern DRC, where a Rwanda-backed rebel group has caused widespread displacement and a humanitarian crisis since 2021.

However, by midday Sunday, the head of Angola’s presidential media office announced that the meeting would not proceed as planned.

“Contrary to what we expected, the summit will no longer be held today,” media officer Mario Jorge told reporters.

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He added that Lourenco had met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, but Rwandan President Paul Kagame was not present.

Stalemate over M23 rebel dialogue

According to Congolese officials, negotiations stalled over Rwanda’s demand that the DRC engage in direct talks with the M23 rebel group, which is largely ethnic Tutsi and has seized large parts of eastern DRC.

“There is a stalemate because the Rwandans have set as a precondition for the signing of an agreement that the DRC hold a direct dialogue with the M23,” said Giscard Kusema, a spokesman for the Congolese presidency, speaking from Luanda.

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Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said on Friday (December 13) that Rwanda wanted a “a firm commitment from the DRC to resume direct talks with the M23 within a well-defined framework and timeframe.”

The Congolese government has consistently accused Rwanda of backing the M23 militarily, a charge Kigali denies. AFP cited a Congolese government source as saying that resolving the conflict hinges on Rwanda withdrawing its alleged troops from Congolese territory.

“If Kigali is in good faith in the negotiations and on its promise to withdraw… its troops from Congolese soil, the conflict will end with the M23, and at the same time it will stop with Rwanda,” the source said.

Fragile truce in tatters

Kagame and Tshisekedi last met in October in Paris but did not hold direct discussions. Angola mediated a fragile truce in August that temporarily stabilised the front line. However, both sides continued to exchange fire, and clashes have intensified since late October.

The collapse of the talks highlights the persistent challenges to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has exacerbated humanitarian suffering in eastern DRC. Thousands remain displaced, with no end to the violence in sight.

With inputs from agencies