Luanda – Angolan President João Lourenço, defended Thursday, in Luanda, the need for Angola, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to work together to avoid the failure of the ceasefire, stipulated to come into force in the upcoming Sunday.
The parties involved at the negotiations agreed, on Monday July 29, to establish a ceasefire that will come into force from midnight on August 4, 2024.
Speaking at a press conference, on the occasion of the visit of his counterpart from Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, President João Lourenço stated that the countries in conflict, with Angolan mediation, “will work to avoid setbacks and to negotiate a solid peace for those two brotherly countries.”
João Lourenço recalled that this is not the first ceasefire that has been reached in the conflict between the two neighboring countries, as there was a first one that lasted months, but unfortunately for several reasons it did not work.
“The important thing is to be optimistic moving forward. Fortunately, we have now managed, on the 30th of July, to reach a second ceasefire that will come into force next Sunday, the 4th”, the president said.
As for the next steps regarding the ceasefire, he said it was too early to provide details.
“In due time the next steps will be known”, he assured.
It should be remembered that the meeting at the level of ministers in Luanda resulted from the decision taken during meetings held separately by the Angolan President, João Lourenço, Champion of the African Union for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa and Mediator appointed by the African Union, for peace in DRC, with counterparts Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, in February and March 2024.
These initiatives aim to encourage dialogue at the highest level and re-establish an environment of trust between both parties, to prevent the current political crisis from turning into a regional conflict.
The conflict in eastern DRC, which has persisted since 2022, is led by forces from the M23 rebel movement, which have reportedly been supported by Rwandan government forces.
The attacks, which resumed in December 2023, targeted civilian populations, as well as violating human rights, including the occupation of several areas in Congolese territory, which constitutes a clear violation of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes, thus harming diplomatic efforts and initiatives for peace and stability in that country. AFL/VIC/CF/DOJ
