A major peace meeting aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has collapsed before it even began. Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have been at the center of violent clashes in eastern Congo,

The Rwanda-backed rebels who captured key areas of Congo’s mineral-rich east say they have withdrawn from planned peace talks with the country’s government in Angola.

Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels will engage in direct negotiations in the coming days to end the conflict in the country’s mineral-rich east, according to the presidency of Angola, which will mediate the talks.