The talks were organized under the mediation of Angolan President João Lourenço, who also serves as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU).
However, just a day before the scheduled discussions, AFC/M23 issued an official statement signed by political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, declaring its withdrawal, citing international sanctions and ongoing military actions by the Kinshasa government as key reasons.
In the statement released on March 17, 2025, the group expressed frustration over what it described as deliberate efforts to obstruct the negotiations.
"The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) deeply regrets that certain international institutions are deliberately undermining peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and obstructing the much-anticipated talks," the statement reads.
AFC/M23 particularly pointed to the latest sanctions imposed on its members, stating that these measures have hindered the credibility of the negotiations.
"Successive sanctions imposed on our members, including those enacted on the eve of the Luanda discussions, severely undermine direct dialogue and make any progress impossible," the group declared.
Additionally, the statement accused President Félix Tshisekedi's administration of continuing military aggression against AFC/M23 forces and civilian areas.
"This incomprehensible and ambiguous stance only encourages Mr. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to continue with his warmongering program," the statement claimed.
The group further alleged that the Kinshasa regime and its allies were responsible for indiscriminate attacks on both civilian areas and AFC/M23 positions, utilizing heavy artillery and aerial bombardments.
"AFC/M23 draws the attention of the International and National Community to the warmongering campaign of the coalition forces of Kinshasa regime through multiple ground attacks and indiscriminate bombardments of densely populated areas as well as our positions, using fighter jets and CH-4 combat drones," the statement added.
Given these circumstances, AFC/M23 announced that it could no longer take part in the peace talks. "Under these circumstances, the talks have become impracticable. Consequently, our organisation can no longer continue to participate in the discussions," the statement concluded.
The decision came just hours after AFC/M23 had initially confirmed sending a five-member delegation to Angola to represent the group in the negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Congolese government had also confirmed its participation, with a delegation led by Transport Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba, a former Minister of Defense and leader of the armed group Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC).
With the collapse of these talks, the future of peace efforts in eastern DRC remains uncertain, as both sides continue to trade accusations over the ongoing hostilities.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/m23-withdraws-from-luanda-peace-talks-with-drc
