According to a statement from the French Presidency, Macron spoke separately with the two Heads of State on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
President Macron expressed concern over the ongoing situation in North Kivu, particularly around the city of Goma. He called for the M23 rebel group to cease its offensives and urged that peace talks resume as soon as possible. Macron also reaffirmed France's commitment to supporting the peace process.
The discussions took place against a backdrop of escalating tensions, with M23 seizing various territories and recently signalling plans to take control of Goma.
The DRC government, which had previously agreed to negotiate with M23, has now declared it will no longer engage in talks with the group. This reversal disrupted the Luanda peace talks, which were initially scheduled to lead to a December 15, 2024, agreement between Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi but were subsequently postponed.
Negotiations between the DRC and M23 were a key component of the proposed agreements. Mediators have stressed that resolving the conflict involving M23 is essential to addressing the broader issues between Rwanda and the DRC. Without a lasting solution, M23's actions risk being repeatedly attributed to Rwanda, further perpetuating tensions between the two nations.
President Macron has reiterated that the Luanda peace talks must continue to find a sustainable resolution to the insecurity in the Great Lakes region. He highlighted this point during a discussion in Paris on January 16, 2025, with Angolan President João Lourenço, who serves as the mediator between Rwanda and the DRC.
Speaking to President Lourenço, Macron stated, 'The peace process you initiated must move forward, and we urge the continuation of high-level discussions. France, as a close partner, fully supports this mediation and the steps toward peace.'
President Lourenço affirmed his commitment as a mediator to end the decades-long conflict in eastern DRC and restore peaceful relations between Rwanda and the DRC.
The M23 rebel group is primarily fighting for the interests of the Tutsi community in eastern Congo, which has faced marginalization and persecution for years. The group accuses the Congolese government of poor governance and failure to fulfil terms of previous agreements.
IGIHE
