Luanda - The security and peace situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was analyzed Tuesday in Luanda during a joint audience that Angolan Head of State João Lourenço granted to the heads of the diplomatic corps of the DRC, Rwanda and Angola.
The DRC's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and La Francophonie, Therese Wagner, Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, and Angola's Foreign Affairs Minister, Téte António, took part in the 2nd session of the ministerial meeting, which is taking place as part of the Luanda Process.
The meeting between ministers follows consultations held by the Angolan mediation, with a view to finding solutions for peace in the east of the DRC.
No statements were made to the press at the end of the hearing, which lasted about an hour.
This meeting at ministerial level is the result of the decision taken during the separate meetings held by Angolan President João Lourenço, African Union-designated Mediator for peace in the DRC, with his Congolese counterpart, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, in February and March 2024 respectively.
These initiatives are aimed at encouraging dialogue at the highest level and re-establishing an environment of trust between the two parties, in order to prevent the current political crisis from turning into a regional conflict.
The conflict in the east of the DRC, which has persisted since 2022, is led by forces from the M23 rebel movement, who have allegedly been supported by Rwandan government forces.
The attacks, which resumed in December 2023, target civilian populations, as well as human rights violations, including the occupation of several areas on Congolese territory that constitutes a clear violation of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes, undermining diplomatic efforts and initiatives for peace and stability in that country. AFL/ART/AMP
