The efforts to end the years-long M23 crisis, driven by deadly conflicts, have hit a significant setback following the cancellation of the meeting between the Presidents of Congo and Rwanda. The meeting, organized by Angola, was intended to ease tensions between the neighboring nations and pave the way for a potential agreement.

The cancellation of the meeting is a major blow to the peace process, which has been marred by controversy and intense scrutiny surrounding the relationship between the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan government. Rwanda has consistently denied any involvement with the group, but various reports and investigations suggest otherwise.

For instance, the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) highlights findings from the UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo, which have documented alleged Rwandan military support for the M23. These reports claim that Rwanda has provided the group with weapons, ammunition, and reinforcements, fueling the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.

The M23 rebel conflict has displaced over 1.7 million people, and the cancellation of the meeting has dimmed hopes for a peaceful resolution to the nearly three-year-long insurgency. The proposed peace plan involved Rwanda dismantling its defensive measures in exchange for Congo eliminating the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group that has attacked Tutsis in both countries.

Rwanda's alleged involvement in M23 has escalated tensions that have historical, political, and ethnic roots. The relationship between the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan government has long been a source of controversy and intense scrutiny. Al Jazeera also reports that a UN investigation has revealed a connection between the Ugandan army and the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC, as violence escalates.

In early October, Rwandan Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe accused his Congolese counterpart of refusing to sign an agreement aimed at resolving the M23 rebel conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which has displaced over 1.9 million people. Rwanda introduced a condition for signing a peace agreement - the Democratic Republic of Congo must hold direct talks with the M23 rebels. However, Congo rejected this condition, leading Rwanda's foreign ministry to declare that the lack of consensus makes it impossible for them to sign the agreement that was planned for Sunday.

The cancellation of the meeting has significant implications for the region, and the international community will be closely watching the developments. The failure to reach a peaceful resolution to the M23 crisis will likely lead to further instability and violence in the region, with devastating consequences for the people of Congo and Rwanda.

In conclusion, the cancellation of the meeting between the Presidents of Congo and Rwanda is a major setback to the peace process, and the region is likely to face further instability and violence. The international community must continue to pressure both countries to return to the negotiating table and work towards a peaceful resolution to the M23 crisis.