Rwanda-backed M23 rebels on Monday pulled out of peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo's government less than 24 hours before the warring parties in eastern Congo's worst conflict in decades were due to convene in Angola.

The AFC/M23 rebels have confirmed that they are sending a delegation of five members to Luanda, Angola for direct negotiations with the DR Congo government, scheduled for Tuesday, March 18.

The talks are scheduled to start on Tuesday (March 18) in Angola’s capital city, Luanda. Joao Lourenco, the Angolan President, has been appointed to mediate the conflict by the African Union