The talks are being mediated by Angolan President João Lourenço, who has been acting as a facilitator in efforts to resolve tensions between the two nations.
The discussions aim to address ongoing conflicts and foster lasting peace, particularly in light of strained relations between the DRC and Rwanda. Angola, committed to mediating the situation, hopes the talks will lead to agreements, including a ceasefire and strategies to restore security in the eastern regions of the DRC.
This meeting follows preliminary discussions held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, when representatives from both countries met in Luanda.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Angola, Rwanda, and the DRC worked on a draft agreement that will be reviewed by the heads of state during the summit.
President Tshisekedi's trip to Angola comes days after he accused Rwanda of displacing Congolese citizens in North Kivu and replacing them with foreigners. His remarks, delivered on December 11, 2024, to a joint session of the Congolese parliament, were met with strong criticism from Rwanda.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe described Tshisekedi's comments as inflammatory, expressing concern that they could incite hatred against Congolese Tutsis in eastern DRC.
Rwanda also refuted the allegations, emphasizing that Congolese refugees returning to North Kivuâ€"estimated at over 1.45 millionâ€"had fled violence during clashes between the DRC armed forces and the M23 rebel group. Rwanda reiterated its stance that those individuals are Congolese citizens and not foreigners.
The peace talks follow agreements from the sixth ministerial meeting held on November 25, 2024, which outlined a three-month strategy to dismantle the FDLR, a militia group comprising individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This operation will proceed in three stages: assessing the militia's threats and resources, launching direct operations against the FDLR, and reviewing the progress of these measures.
Both parties have expressed cautious optimism that these efforts could lead to a breakthrough in resolving the security crisis in the region.
Angola's leadership remains central to coordinating these efforts and encouraging the neighboring nations to prioritize peacebuilding over conflict.
IGIHE
