Angola Withdraws from Mediation of the Conflict Between the DRC and Rwanda

Since the African Union entrusted President João Lourenço with the responsibility of mediating the conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, Angola has committed itself with the utmost seriousness, determination and resources to achieving lasting peace in eastern DRC and normalising relations between the two neighbouring countries. Following successive rounds of talks, significant progress was achieved at the ministerial level in December 2024, with the DRC committing to neutralising the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), while Rwanda committed to withdrawing its Defence Forces from Congolese territory to the border between the two countries. As these constituted the main demands of the parties, the conditions had therefore been created for the Summit scheduled to take place in Luanda on December 15. However, the Summit ultimately did not take place due to Rwanda’s absence. Angola has always believed in the need for direct negotiations to take place, in parallel, between the Government of the DRC and the M23. Angola worked towards this objective and secured the consent of both parties for the first round of talks to be held in Luanda on March 18 of this year. However, the initiative was called off at the last moment due to a combination of factors, including some external factors unrelated to the African-led process that was underway. We welcome all initiatives by the United Nations, other international organisations and countries of goodwill that can contribute to resolving the various conflicts that persist on our continent, with the aim of silencing the guns and achieving lasting peace, provided that such initiatives are duly coordinated with the designated mediators, the Peace and Security Council, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Nearly two months after assuming the rotating Chairmanship of the African Union, Angola considers it necessary to relinquish its responsibility as mediator of the conflict in eastern DRC in order to devote greater attention to the broader priorities established by the continental organisation. These include peace and security across the continent as a whole, infrastructure, continental free trade, the fight against epidemics, endemic diseases and pandemics, economic and social development, and justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations. In coordination with the African Union Commission, the necessary steps will be taken in the coming days to identify the country whose Head of State, assisted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), and the facilitators, will assume responsibility for mediating the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda.