Planned talks between the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC were canceled on Sunday, according to Angola’s presidency.
“Unfortunately, the summit will not take place today,” said Mario Jorge, media officer for the Angolan presidency.
President Joao Lourenço, serving as the African Union’s mediator in the conflict, held a meeting with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi. However, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who was expected to participate, did not attend. It remains unclear if he was present in Angola.
The talks had been seen as a chance to secure a resolution to the crisis in eastern DRC, where the M23 militia—allegedly backed by Rwanda—has seized significant territory. The militia’s actions have displaced thousands of people, intensifying a growing humanitarian emergency.
Efforts to reach an agreement reportedly stalled due to Rwanda’s insistence that the DRC engage directly with the M23 rebels, a demand the Congolese presidency has resisted.
The collapse of these talks highlights the challenges in resolving the conflict and underscores the deep divisions between the two nations.
