Peace negotiations aimed at ending decades of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) collapsed this week amid allegations that the Congolese government orchestrated a plot to assassinate or abduct representatives of the M23/AFC rebel group during talks in Luanda.
According to intelligence sources within the M23 movement, the DRC government planned to infiltrate the negotiation venue with buses carrying “hired youth” to instigate chaos and target rebel delegates. The talks, hosted by Angolan mediators on Tuesday, were abruptly suspended after M23 representatives withdrew, citing security concerns and recently imposed European Union sanctions. However, confidential sources claim the group’s decision was also driven by fears of state-sponsored violence.
“The information we have received indicates that President Félix Tshisekedi’s government arranged for buses filled with hired youth to infiltrate the conference room, create chaos, and either assassinate or abduct AFC/M23 representatives,” an M23 intelligence official stated. The allegations, which remain unverified independently, accuse Kinshasa of attempting to sabotage diplomatic efforts.
The peace talks in Luanda were seen as a critical step in diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region, but this latest controversy raises concerns about the prospects of a negotiated settlement. Observers are now calling for an independent investigation into the allegations to determine their credibility and ensure the safety of all parties involved in future negotiations.
