Congolese rebels M23 decide not to participate in peace talks

On March 18, the M23 rebel movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is accused of being supported by Rwanda, decided not to participate in the peace talks held in Luanda, the capital of Angola on Tuesday. The European Union on Monday sanctioned three Rwandan military commanders and the heads of mining agencies for supporting senior members of the M23 movement and armed elements in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The M23 movement criticized certain international institutions for deliberately sabotaging peace efforts. The spokesperson for the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said that the delegation will still participate in the peace talks. In addition, Rwanda announced that it has severed diplomatic relations with Belgium, which once ruled the region. It criticized Belgium for continuing to harm Rwanda's interests during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It asked all Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours. Belgium expressed regret and decided to take reciprocal countermeasures.