Fatshimetrie, October 15, 2024 – The ministerial meeting between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, held in Luanda, Angola, recently resulted in significant progress in the process of resolving tensions between the two countries.
During this meeting, the DRC delegation renewed its support for the harmonized plan, developed in accordance with the recommendations of intelligence experts at a previous meeting in September. A crucial point raised by the Congolese delegation was the importance of neutralizing the FDLR and the simultaneous withdrawal of the Rwandan army, to ensure effective implementation of the plan.
The ministers of the two countries validated the activities and responsibilities provided for in this harmonized plan, aimed at neutralizing the FDLR and disengaging Rwandan forces from the region. A call for respect for the ceasefire, initiated last August, was also highlighted during the meeting.
To facilitate the implementation of these measures, it was agreed that the Facilitation will prepare a draft Concept of Operations (Conops) by 26 October 2024. This document will be based on inputs from stakeholders and reviewed at an experts meeting scheduled for 30 October in Luanda.
Furthermore, an enhanced Ad-hoc Verification Mechanism (MVA-R) has been established, with the submission of the names of the respective liaison officers from the DRC and Rwanda. The official launch of the MVA-R is scheduled in Goma, DRC, before 5 November 2024.
The Ministers agreed to meet again at a later date to review the experts’ report on the Conops and continue discussions on outstanding security issues, in line with the draft peace agreement proposed by the Facilitator João Lourenço, Chairperson of the African Union.
This meeting, marked by the presence of Mrs. Thérèse Kayikwamba for the DRC and Ambassador Olivier J.P Nduhangerehe for Rwanda, thus opens the way to strengthened collaboration between the two countries to guarantee stability and security in the region.