Sun Dec 15 17:04:39 UTC 2024: ## Congo-Rwanda Peace Talks Collapse Amidst Accusations of Rwandan Support for Rebels

**Kinshasa, DRC –** A highly anticipated meeting between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Angola, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with the M23 rebel group, has been abruptly cancelled. The failure to reach an agreement dashes hopes for a swift end to the conflict, which has displaced over 1.9 million people in eastern Congo.

The cancellation stems from a disagreement over conditions for a peace agreement. Congo rejected Rwanda’s demand that Congo hold direct talks with the M23 rebels. Rwanda’s foreign ministry stated that this lack of consensus prevented them from signing the proposed agreement, which would have seen Rwanda dismantle its defensive measures in exchange for Congo’s elimination of the FDLR rebel group.

The UN and other international actors accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebellion, alleging the deployment of Rwandan troops and weapons. Rwanda denies these accusations, claiming only defensive measures have been taken, while countering that Congo recruits FDLR fighters. UN experts estimated earlier this year that 3,000-4,000 Rwandan troops were present in Congo, effectively controlling M23 operations.

Congo expert Jason Stearns of Simon Fraser University highlights the lack of international pressure on Rwanda to de-escalate the situation, noting that the US, a key actor, is currently undergoing a transition. The stalled negotiations leave the volatile eastern Congo region vulnerable and raise concerns of a wider conflict in the Great Lakes region.

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