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 Rwanda-backed M23 armed group swept through the mineral-rich east of the DRC earlier this year, taking two major cities, leaving thousands feared dead although figures are hard to confirm. The EU also imposed sanctions Monday on senior members of the M23, including its head, Bertrand Bisimwa.

The M23 has withdrawn from the peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo that were scheduled for Tuesday, in Luanda, Angola. It follows a series of events on Monday that includes the European Union announcing sanctions against members of the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) and the leader