United Nations Security Council sanctions on M23 rebels will not affect peace talks between the insurgents and the Democratic Republic of Congo government, a Ugandan official has said.
Foreign affairs permanent secretary, James Mugume said he expected the talks, which began a few weeks ago in Kampala, to proceed without any major hiccups.
"Nothing will stop the peace talks from continuing, because they were welcomed by the UN Security Council," he said.
Uganda, which is mediating the peace talks, believes the negotiations can bring lasting peace in the eastern DRC, which was recently overrun by the M23 rebels.
On Monday, the Security Council announced an arms embargo on the Congolese M23 and FDLR rebels. It also imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on top M23 officials Lt Colonel Eric Badege and Jean-Marie Runiga.
However, Mugume said the travel ban meant Runiga could no longer travel to Kampala to attend the peace talks, but he was optimistic that the UN will sort that out, if it wanted a successful outcome at the peace negotiations.
The negotiators are expected to resume talks on Friday after breaking for Christmas.
M23 rebels were on Thursday expected to issue a press release in response to the latest wave of sanctions.
