Angolan President Joao Lourenco convened a mini-summit in Addis Ababa on Friday, February 16th, seeking to reignite peace efforts in the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This urgent meeting took place just before the two-day African Union (AU) summit in the Ethiopian capital, following recent escalations in the region.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army continue to clash in the mineral-rich eastern DRC. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi attended the closed-door meeting, emphasizing the need for “a return to a constructive and reconciliatory dialogue between the DRC and Rwanda,” according to a statement from his office. Additionally, he urged “the immediate cessation of hostilities, the immediate withdrawal of the M23 from occupied areas, and the launch of a process to contain this movement.”
Kinshasa, along with the United Nations and Western nations, accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, an allegation Kigali vehemently denies. President Tshisekedi reportedly accused Rwanda of fueling regional insecurity and exploiting mineral resources during the meeting. Talks are expected to continue on Saturday.
Earlier reports from Angolan state news agency Angop indicated that the mini-summit would “discuss the relaunch of the peace process” in eastern DRC. Leaders from Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania were expected to join President Lourenco. However, attendance confirmation remains unclear.
Decades of conflict have plagued the eastern DRC, fueled by remnants of regional wars from the 1990s and early 2000s. The predominantly Tutsi M23 rebel group has captured significant territory in North Kivu province since resurfacing in late 2021. This recent surge in violence has displaced thousands of civilians, forcing them to flee towards the provincial capital Goma.
The UN Security Council expressed concern about the escalating violence on Monday, and a UN document reportedly revealed Rwanda’s alleged use of sophisticated weaponry, including surface-to-air missiles, in support of the M23. Despite nearly 25 years of deployment in the DRC, UN forces face criticism for failing to adequately protect civilians from armed groups.
President Lourenco’s mini-summit represents a critical step towards achieving peace in the eastern DRC. The success of these ongoing efforts hinges on addressing the root causes of the conflict, fostering constructive dialogue between key stakeholders, and ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations.
