(Adnkronos) – Angolan President Joao Lourenco has announced the end of his role as mediator in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between the Congolese army and the Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement (M23), following the cancellation of a meeting in Luanda to launch direct talks between the Kinshasa government and the rebel group. The Congolese Presidency stressed that, “since the African Union (AU) entrusted Lourenco with the task of mediating in the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda, Angola has dedicated itself with the utmost seriousness, energy and resources to achieving lasting peace in eastern DRC and normalising relations between the two neighbouring countries.”
The statement also listed the “significant progress” made during the talks, including the DRC’s commitment to “neutralising the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)” and Rwanda’s promise to “withdraw its forces from Congolese territory to the border between the two countries.” However, the Presidency expressed disappointment at the failure of the planned summit between the two countries on 15 December 2024, due to the absence of Rwanda, which justified its decision with Kinshasa’s refusal to enter into direct negotiations with the M23.
The Angolan Presidency reiterated that “Angola has always believed in the need for direct negotiations between the Congolese government and the M23, working towards this goal and obtaining the consent of both parties for a first round (of talks) that was scheduled to take place in Luanda on 18 March”. However, the meeting was cancelled at the last minute due to “a combination of factors, including some external elements unrelated to the ongoing African process,” after the M23 withdrew its participation in response to European Union sanctions against some of its members.
In the statement, Angola also praised “all actions” by the United Nations and other countries that could “contribute to resolving the various conflicts on the continent”. The decision to end the mediation was taken to focus more on AU priorities, as indicated by the Angolan Presidency, which added: “In collaboration with the AU Commission, the necessary steps will be taken in the coming days to identify the country whose Head of State, with the support of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC) and the facilitators, will assume the role of mediator in the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda”.
Meanwhile, Congo Coalition for Justice (ACJ) spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka confirmed that the rebels are still present in Walikale, despite pledges to withdraw, accusing Congolese armed forces of hindering the withdrawal. “Contrary to what was stated in the statement on Sunday 23 March, the DRC Armed Forces and their allied forces have not withdrawn their attack drones from Walikale. This situation is delaying the repositioning of ACJ/M23 forces in the area,” he said. Local sources confirmed the presence of the rebels, who are said to have split into several groups, some of whom have reportedly begun withdrawing towards Mubi, Ntoto and Itebero.
