The Rwanda-backed militia’s decision followed European Union sanctions over three senior Rwandan military officials, five senior leaders of the M23, and a gold refinery announced earlier on Monday, as criticism grows of Kigali’s backing of the group that has seized two major Congolese cities.

The Rwanda-backed rebels who captured key areas of Congo's mineral-rich east said Monday they were withdrawing from peace talks this week with the Congolese government, saying that international sanctions on the group's members have undermined such dialogue.

The European Union sanctioned nine people and a gold refinery on Monday in connection with a Rwanda-backed rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a day before peace talks scheduled in Angola between M23 rebels and the Congolese government.