![Rwanda President Paul Kagame,left , Angola President Joao Lourenco, centre, and DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, right, pose for a photograph in Luanda [Jorge Nsimba/AFP]](https://theafricadailypost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/rwanda-angola-drc-860x508.jpg)
KINSHASA, Dec 15 – Planned peace talks between the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Angola were called off, further delaying efforts to address the ongoing M23 insurgency. The talks, which were scheduled for Sunday, aimed to address the conflict that has displaced more than 1.9 million people in eastern Congo.
Congo’s government confirmed the cancellation, stating that Rwanda’s delegation refused to attend unless Congo agreed to hold direct talks with the M23 rebels. Congo rejected this condition, leading to the collapse of the meeting.
Rwanda’s foreign minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, acknowledged the postponement but did not provide further details.
The peace plan proposed a mutual concession: Rwanda would dismantle its defensive measures linked to the conflict in exchange for Congo eliminating the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group accused of targeting Tutsis in both countries.
Congo, the United Nations, and others have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebellion in North Kivu province by providing troops and weapons. A UN report this year claimed that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan troops were operating in Congo, effectively controlling M23 operations.
Rwanda denies these accusations, stating its military actions are purely defensive. Rwanda has also accused Congo of recruiting FDLR militants to fight alongside Congolese forces.
