The African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) convened an emergency ministerial session on Tuesday to address the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The virtual meeting, requested by the DRC, included participation from Angola, acting as chair of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), alongside representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and others.
Angola’s Role and Condemnation of Escalation
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Angola, currently serving a two-year term on the PSC, has been instrumental in conflict resolution efforts in the region through its leadership of the Luanda Process. Angolan President João Lourenço expressed deep concern over the recent escalation, condemning the actions of M23 and their illegal occupation of Sake and Minova. He called for an immediate return to negotiations, emphasising that the conflict in eastern DRC cannot be resolved militarily.
Angola’s permanent representative to the UN, Francisco da Cruz, reaffirmed this stance during a recent UN Security Council meeting, stressing the need for a rapid de-escalation and renewed commitment to the Luanda Process roadmap.
Key Discussions and Positions
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The session included remarks from:
• Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, DRC’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who accused Rwanda of orchestrating violence and economic exploitation, citing the illegal extraction of 150 tons of coltan monthly.
• Bintou Keita, UN Special Representative for the DRC, who reiterated that the resolution must be political, not military, and called for the full implementation of the Luanda and Nairobi processes.
• Representatives from Rwanda and Korea, with Rwanda urging the DRC to show genuine commitment to peace and Korea calling on Rwanda to cease support for M23 and both parties to honour their commitments.
The Conflict and Regional Implications
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The M23 rebel group, accused of destabilising the region and benefiting from external support, remains at the centre of the crisis. Accusations of economic plundering, including the illegal export of coltan to Rwanda, and targeted violence, such as the assassination of the military governor of North Kivu, have intensified tensions.
While Rwanda’s representative acknowledged progress in the Luanda Process, they criticised the DRC government for escalating militarisation in October 2024, which they claim undermined previous ceasefire agreements.
Calls for Action
Consensus emerged around the need for political solutions:
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• Burundi’s representative highlighted the effectiveness of the Luanda and Nairobi processes, calling for an end to foreign interference.
• Various stakeholders, including the Republic of Korea, urged Kinshasa and Kigali to prioritise dialogue and de-escalation.
Outlook
The emergency session underscores the urgency of addressing the conflict’s humanitarian, economic, and security implications. With the Luanda and Nairobi processes offering viable frameworks for peace, the AU and its partners are pushing for renewed political dialogue and regional cooperation to stabilise eastern DRC.
