Democratic Republic of Congo’s army accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of attacking its positions in the east of the country and threatening peace talks overseen by the US and Qatari governments.

In March, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha hosted a meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame, whereafter both leaders called for a ceasefire. Since then, subsequent talks have been held with the DRC and the M23.

The main rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the M23, has walked away from peace talks with the government, saying it will not return unless the authorities adhere to a previous ceasefire deal.