Plans for a meeting between the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC quickly unravelled, ending in a deadlock on Sunday, an official revealed.
The breakdown reportedly stemmed from Rwanda’s request that the DRC engage in direct talks with the M23 rebel group, a proposition the DRC appeared unwilling to entertain.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame had been expected to attend the discussions in Angola, but his presence in the country remained uncertain.
Instead, it was reported that the African Union’s mediator for the conflict met privately with the DRC’s president in a bid to advance the peace process.
Back in August, Angola successfully brokered a ceasefire that temporarily eased tensions on the frontlines. However, clashes have since resumed, with both sides exchanging fire.
On the ground, the Rwanda-backed M23 militia continues to seize significant territory in eastern DRC, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes, adding to the already dire situation.
