The peace summit aimed at addressing conflicts in the eastern DRC has been cancelled after the Rwandan delegation declined to participate. Following a failed ministerial meeting, discussions regarding direct talks with M23 were deemed unsuccessful. The Angolan President stated the summit was indefinitely postponed, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region, exacerbated by military support allegations between the DRC and Rwanda.
The anticipated peace summit planned for Sunday in Kinshasa to address the ongoing conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was officially cancelled. Angolan President Joao Lourenco was to host the summit, aimed at de-escalating tensions involving DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. However, the participation of the Rwandan delegation was withdrawn, resulting in the cancellation of the meeting. President Tshisekedi had arrived early in Luanda and met with President Lourenco prior to the announcement.
Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation indicated that a preliminary ministerial meeting on Saturday failed to produce any agreement between Rwanda and the DRC regarding objectives for direct negotiations with the Congolese rebel group M23. The ministry stated that, “This summit would therefore not have resulted in an agreement,” suggesting that a postponement might provide additional opportunities for dialogue involving M23 and DRC.
The summit was part of the Luanda Process, a peace initiative established in 2022 with the backing of the African Union to facilitate stability in the region. An official statement from the Angolan Presidency noted that the summit was “indefinitely postponed at the request of one of the parties.” The eastern region of the DRC remains volatile due to M23’s offensive activities, with the DRC government accusing Rwanda of aiding the militants, allegations which Rwanda categorically denies. Furthermore, Rwanda has made counter-accusations alleging the DRC military’s cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a Rwandan rebel group.
The eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has been embroiled in conflict for several years, primarily due to the presence and activities of various armed groups, including the M23. The Luanda Process is a diplomatic effort originated in 2022 that seeks to mitigate conflict through dialogues and agreements between the DRC and its neighboring countries, including Rwanda. This region has witnessed significant instability, as Rwandan involvement in the conflict continues to be a contentious point, with accusations exchanged between the DRC and Rwanda regarding military support to rebel factions. The situation remains complex due to the interplay of local and regional interests and the involvement of international diplomatic bodies.
The cancellation of the peace summit reflects the ongoing tensions between the DRC and Rwanda regarding the M23 rebel group. The inability to reach consensus prior to the meeting underscores the challenges within the Luanda Process aimed at stabilizing the region. Continued efforts are necessary to facilitate constructive dialogue and address the underlying issues driving the conflict in eastern DRC, while allegations of military support add further complexity to the situation.
Original Source: www.chinadailyasia.com
