This request was conveyed by the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, during a meeting with the DRC's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, on October 7, 2024.
In a statement issued by the U.S. Mission to the UN, it was noted, "Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield congratulated Foreign Minister Kayikwamba on her appointment, urged the DRC government to remain steadfast in its commitment to the Luanda Process, and emphasized the importance of fully implementing the de-escalation plan agreed upon at the technical level between the DRC and Rwanda."
The ambassador also stressed the need for continued dialogue between the two countries to enhance regional stability, reiterating that the United States is ready to support the peace process.
The DRC is under pressure to fulfill its obligations following the resumption of the Luanda talks on September 14, 2024.
During the talks, Minister Kayikwamba rejected a plan proposed by Angola to dismantle the FDLR, a terrorist group that has long been a security threat to Rwanda.
In September, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe disclosed that intelligence experts from Angola, DRC, and Rwanda had convened in Rubavu on August 29-30, 2024, and proposed a harmonized plan to neutralize the FDLR.
The conclusions of this meeting were intended to be ratified by relevant ministers in Luanda, with DRC representatives initially in agreement.
However, during the 4th Ministerial Meeting under the Luanda Process, held in Angola on September 14, 2024, Foreign Minister Kayikwamba rejected the conclusions.
"This plan was endorsed by the Foreign Ministers of Angola and Rwanda. However, the DRC's Foreign Minister alone rejected the harmonized plan and opposed a new meeting of experts proposed by the facilitator for September 30 to October 1, 2024, to develop a concept of operations [CONOPS] for the plan," Nduhungirehe recently shared on X account.
Despite this refusal, UN reports indicate that the DRC's forces continue to collaborate with the FDLR in their fight against M23 in North Kivu province.
Nevertheless, Angola has expressed its intent to keep the peace process moving forward and has scheduled another round of Luanda talks for later in October 2024.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/us-urges-drc-to-honor-its-commitments-to-luanda-process
