Angola, under President João Lourenço, is mediating the crisis in eastern DRC, aiming for direct negotiations between Kinshasa and the M23 armed group. A recent meeting between Congolese President Tshisekedi and President Lourenço has opened pathways for dialogues, essential for establishing a ceasefire and lasting peace amidst ongoing violence and regional tensions with Rwanda.
Angola is actively mediating the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), focusing on fostering direct negotiations between Kinshasa and the M23 armed group. President João Lourenço of Angola met with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Luanda to discuss the potential for the two parties to engage in dialogue, aimed at achieving lasting peace in the region.
Following a private discussion, both presidents agreed that Angola would initiate contacts with the M23, facilitating direct negotiations in Luanda shortly. This approach is part of Angola’s ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire and mitigate hostilities between Congo and Rwanda, which faces accusations of supporting the M23 rebels.
The M23 has captured several towns in eastern DRC, including the major cities of North and South Kivu, exacerbating a conflict rooted in historical tensions stemming from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition for Congo’s mineral wealth. Despite Rwanda’s claims of acting in self-defense, the Congolese government maintains that substantive talks must be directed towards Rwanda itself, which it refers to as the “master” of the M23.
Currently, Kinshasa remains hesitant to engage directly with the M23 rebels but indicated a willingness to consider the Angolan proposal after the recent meeting. Congolese officials have acknowledged an existing framework for negotiations, based on the Nairobi process.
Upcoming international discussions include a Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit focusing on the DRC conflict and an EU-South Africa summit on March 13. Additionally, the United Nations Security Council will convene on April 4 to address the ongoing crisis in eastern DRC.
The mediation efforts led by Angola signify a critical step towards resolving the ongoing crisis in eastern DRC, with the possibility of direct negotiations between Kinshasa and the M23 becoming more tangible. While challenges persist, particularly regarding Rwanda’s alleged involvement, the commitment to dialogue represents a hopeful development for achieving tranquility in the region. Various international forums will further discuss this pressing issue, reinforcing the need for collaborative solutions.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
