In a dramatic turn of events, the M23 armed group, supported by Rwanda, announced on Monday that it will not participate in peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Angola aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The decision comes on the heels of recent sanctions imposed by the European Union against both M23 and Rwandan officials. The coalition of rebel groups, which includes M23, condemned the sanctions as efforts to "obstruct the much-anticipated talks," raising concerns over the already fragile peace process.

This development follows Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi's shift in stance. Previously reluctant to engage directly with the M23 rebels, Tshisekedi had expressed willingness to meet with them after discussions with Angolan President João Lourenço, who has been mediating the conflict. Despite the rebels' withdrawal, a spokesperson for Tshisekedi confirmed that the government delegation will still travel to Luanda, signaling an ongoing commitment to dialogue despite the setback.

The M23 has significantly intensified its military operations this year, capturing major cities in eastern Congo and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The fighting has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands, drawing widespread condemnation and concern from international observers.

In a related development, Rwanda announced it would sever diplomatic ties with Belgium, its historical colonial ruler, accusing Brussels of perpetuating “neo-colonial delusions” in the region. This statement adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between the neighboring countries.

The M23 is among approximately 100 armed groups competing for control in the resource-rich eastern Congo, an area plagued by violence and instability for years. Despite affirmations from the United States and United Nations experts about Rwanda's backing of the rebels, the Rwandan government has consistently denied these allegations.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on Angola, where diplomatic efforts continue, albeit amid significant challenges. Will this latest setback jeopardize hopes for peace in the region, or is there still a path forward? Only time will tell as the humanitarian crisis deepens and the struggle for power persists.