Title: Angolan President João Lourenço charged with bringing Kinshasa and Kigali closer together for peace in eastern DRC
Introduction :
During the SADC (Southern African Development Community) Summit held in Luanda, Angola, Angolan President João Lourenço was charged by his peers to continue his efforts to bring the capitals Kinshasa and Kigali together with the aim of achieve peace in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This mission confirms the role of facilitator designated by the African Union (AU) that he already occupies in the restoration of stability in this part of the country.
Context :
The security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC is causing serious concern among SADC member states. The resumption of hostilities by the M23 rebel group, in violation of the ceasefire, as well as the deterioration of the humanitarian situation have prompted SADC to act more proactively to restore peace in the region.
SADC actions:
The Luanda Summit formulated strategic directions for the deployment of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), whose objective is to restore peace and security in the country. He commended the efforts of Member States who contributed to the deployment of this mission and called for the mobilization of the necessary resources to promote peace and security in the region, including the relaunch of exchanges to operationalize the Peace Fund of the SADC.
Support for the current elections:
The Luanda Summit also expressed its support for the Republic of Madagascar and the DRC, which are holding their elections in November and December 2023 respectively. SADC will deploy its Electoral Observation Mission to ensure the smooth running of these polls and encourage participation. political stability in the region.
Conclusion :
The appointment of Angolan President João Lourenço as facilitator to bring Kinshasa and Kigali closer is an important step towards the restoration of peace in eastern DRC. SADC, aware of the seriousness of the situation, is intensifying its efforts to restore stability in the region and mobilize the necessary resources to this end. Resolving this conflict is essential to securing a peaceful and prosperous future for the Congolese people and contributing to the development of the Southern African region as a whole.