The M23 rebel group backed by Rwanda has withdrawn from peace talks with the Congolese government which were scheduled to begin this week in Angola’a capital,Luanda. The group’s spokesman, Lawrence Kanyuka, cited international sanctions imposed by the European Union on several M23 members as the primary reason for their withdrawal stating that the sanctions have rendered the dialogue “impracticable.” Kanyuka also highlighted ongoing military offensives by Congo’s army in the conflict-torn region as a contributing factor undermining the potential for successful talks.

“The consequences of these sanctions and the continued offensives against us mean our organization can no longer continue to participate in the discussions,” Kanyuka stated in a press release.

Despite M23’s withdrawal, the Congolese government expressed its commitment to the dialogue in Angola. A delegation had already traveled to Luanda vowing to proceed with discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Felix Tshisekedi, confirmed the delegation’s presence.

The conflict escalated significantly in January when M23 rebels advanced capturing the important city of Goma and later Bukavu in February. Angola which has taken on a mediatory role in the conflict had planned to facilitate direct negotiations between the two parties starting Tuesday.

Previous peace talks between Congo and Rwanda were abruptly canceled in December after Rwanda insisted on direct negotiations with M23 which Congo flatly rejected. Tshisekedi characterized dialogue with the group as a “red line” during a speech to the diplomatic corps earlier this year.

M23 is among approximately 100 armed groups competing for control in eastern Congo, a region rich in minerals and situated near the Rwandan border resulting in one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally where over 7 million people have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.

International observers report that M23 receives support from around 4,000 Rwandan troops, and there have been threats from the rebels to advance towards Congo’s capital, Kinshasa.

In response to the ongoing violence and human rights abuses associated with the conflict, the United Nations Human Rights Council recently launched a commission to investigate allegations of atrocities committed by both sides.

Compounding regional tensions, Rwanda severed diplomatic relations with Belgium on Monday and expelled Belgian diplomats following Belgium’s suspension of development aid to Rwanda last month. Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused Belgium of attempting to destabilize Rwanda.

The EU imposed sanctions on five Rwandan nationals including the commander of Rwandan special forces in eastern Congo and four Congolese nationals affiliated with the M23 including its political leader Bertrand Bisimwa. These sanctions extend to Rwanda’s sole gold refinery, Gasabo Gold Refinery which the EU accused of engaging in “illegal extraction and trafficking” of natural resources from eastern Congo.

The eastern region of Congo is not only rich in gold but also holds significant deposits of critical minerals used in smartphone and computer production. According to a UN report, M23 generated approximately $300,000 monthly from its control of a mining area in eastern Congo last year.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department expressed interest in developing a partnership in the mining sector in Congo confirming preliminary discussions have begun. President Tshisekedi met with U.S. Special Envoy to Congo, Rep. Ronny Jackson, on Sunday to explore potential security and economic collaborations emphasizing the need for peace to attract American investment in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The arrest of Army General Gabriel Duop Lam, a senior figure from South Sudan’s main opposition party has been described as a “grave violation” of the peace deal that ended a five-year civil war according to a spokesperson for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO). General Lam along with other senior officials affiliated with the SPLM-IO, was detained earlier this week amid escalating tensions in the region.

These officials are allies of Vice-President Riek Machar whose longstanding rift with President Salva Kiir ignited a devastating conflict in 2013. The SPLM-IO spokesperson Puok Both Baluang expressed concerns about the lack of information regarding the whereabouts of the detained officials. “We are doing our best to avoid any escalation to the situation; however, we need our partners in peace to demonstrate the political will to assure that this country will not go back to war,” Baluang stated.

In response, President Kiir maintained that South Sudan would not return to war with government spokesperson Michael Makuei insisting that the arrests were made because the opposition figures were “in conflict with the law.”

Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has faced significant challenges including a civil war that erupted just two years later after Kiir dismissed his cabinet and accused Machar of orchestrating a coup. The conflict resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths and displaced 2.5 million people. A peace agreement reached in 2018 aimed to restore stability but has remained precarious.

General Lam, who oversees the military wing of the SPLM-IO was taken into custody earlier this week while Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol was reportedly seized by security forces during the night. Additionally, Machar’s residence in Juba was briefly surrounded by troops from the South Sudanese army before the situation was de-escalated.

The deteriorating security landscape follows reports that the White Army militia, which allied with Machar during the civil war seized control of a strategic town in Upper Nile state. Accusations have arisen from Kiir’s loyalists, claiming that Machar’s allies are providing support to the rebels.

Baluang asserted that the recent escalation of violence including clashes between the White Army and government troops, “would have been avoided” if the national army’s leadership had adhered to the peace agreement.

Both the United Nations and the African Union have issued warnings that violence in the region could spread and further destabilize the fragile peace. Ter Manyang, director of the Juba-based Center for Peace and Advocacy, emphasized that unless top leadership effectively manages the situation, the country risks sliding back into war.

As South Sudan prepares for its first elections scheduled for 2026 after years of delays, the urgency for a stable political environment has never been greater.

Sam Nujoma, the first president of independent Namibia has passed away at the age of 95 in Windhoek. This has been confirmed by the country’s current leader, President Nangolo Mbumba. Nujoma, a pivotal figure in Namibia’s struggle for independence from South African rule, died after spending three weeks hospitalized with an illness.

President Mbumba announced Nujoma’s death with “utmost sorrow and sadness” and praised him as a revolutionary leader who inspired Namibians to reclaim their land. “Our founding father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country,” he stated.

Nujoma played a crucial role in founding the South West Peoples’ Organisation (SWAPO) in the 1960s, which became a central force in Namibia’s liberation movement. He led the nation to independence in 1990 and served as president until 2005 before stepping down as president of the ruling SWAPO party in 2007 after 47 years of leadership.

Tributes have poured in from Namibians who remembered Nujoma fondly as the “father of the nation.” A visibly emotional President Mbumba visited Nujoma’s home to offer condolences to his family including his wife, Kovambo Theopoldine Katjimune who is 91 years old.

Under Nujoma’s guidance, Namibia achieved peace and stability post-independence. His national reconciliation policy played a significant role in encouraging the white community to stay in the country ensuring they remained integral to the economy. He was also a staunch advocate for women’s and children’s rights.

Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, set to be inaugurated as president in March, lauded Nujoma’s “visionary leadership and dedication to liberation and nation-building” as foundational for Namibia’s current unity and freedom.

Condolences have also come from across Africa, with African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat recognizing Nujoma as “the epitome of courage.” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed Nujoma as an “extraordinary freedom fighter” who not only advanced Namibia’s fight against colonialism but also contributed significantly to the struggle for democracy in South Africa.

Kenya’s President William Ruto described Nujoma as a “visionary leader” committed to the liberation and development of his nation.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced as Namibia mourns the loss of its founding leader and national icon.

Over 150 female prisoners in Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern city of Goma were raped and burned to death during a jailbreak last week. This shocking revelation was confirmed by a spokesperson of the United Nations Human Rights Office, Seif Magango, in an interview with journalist.

According to reports, 165 female inmates were sexually assaulted by escaping male prisoners most tragically losing their lives in a fire set during the chaos of the escape. Magango noted that only between nine and 13 women managed to survive the blaze but all had also been victims of rape.

While the UN has not independently verified these details, Magango stated that the account provided by a judicial source in the DRC is considered credible. The mass escape occurred on January 27, coinciding with intense fighting between the M23 rebel alliance and Congolese government forces over control of Goma. More than 4,000 detainees reportedly fled the Muzenze prison during the incident which has left the facility “completely empty” and in ruins.

DRC communications minister, Patrick Muyaya condemned the horrific acts of violence against the female inmates, calling the situation a “barbaric crime.” He emphasized that the government denounces such acts with the utmost severity.

This tragedy is part of a broader pattern of conflict-related sexual violence that has plagued the DRC for decades. The UN’s Human Rights Office has recently reported other incidents of sexual violence, including allegations that Congolese troops raped 52 women in South Kivu, with some cases involving gang rape.

The international community is calling for urgent action in response to this latest wave of violence. Meanwhile, the M23 rebel group claiming to have captured Goma, has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire following clashes that have reportedly left nearly 3,000 people dead.

As the DRC faces ongoing turmoil, the need for a comprehensive strategy to address sexual violence and ensure the protection of vulnerable populations remains paramount.