M23 Rebels Withdraw from Peace Talks Citing Government Offensives and International Sanctions

The M23 rebel group announced its withdrawal from ongoing peace talks on March 18, citing continued military offensives by the Congolese government and international sanctions on its members. The group accused international institutions of undermining peace efforts, pointing to recent sanctions as obstacles to dialogue. Lawrence Kanyuka, the group's communication focal point, stated that the sanctions imposed on M23 members severely undermine direct dialogue. The EU Council imposed restrictive measures on nine individuals and one entity for human rights violations and abuses in the DRC, accusing them of exploiting the conflict through illicit resource trade. Those sanctioned include M23 leaders, Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) commanders, and the chief executive officer of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB). The EU has listed five senior leaders of the M23, a UN sanctioned non-governmental armed group operating in Eastern DRC. The EU autonomous restrictive measures in view of the situation in the DRC now apply to a total of 32 individuals and 2 entities.