Title: The stakes of the tripartite summit and the challenges of stability in Central Africa
The tripartite summit between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and João Lourenço of Angola, which was scheduled to take place this Sunday, December 15, 2024, has been canceled due to major differences between the delegations, including the refusal of the Rwandan delegation to participate. This cancellation highlights the persistent tensions and challenges in eastern DRC, exacerbated by the documented presence of Rwandan troops on Congolese territory according to United Nations reports.
The condition set by the Rwandan delegation, demanding direct dialogue between Kinshasa and the M23 rebel group, was categorically rejected by the DRC. In response, Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege called on the international community to sanction Rwanda for its alleged support for the M23 rebels. He underlines the importance of addressing the root causes of conflicts in eastern Congo, including the illicit exploitation of natural resources and impunity that fuel violence.
Mukwege highlights the urgency of revitalizing the Framework Agreement with the mobilization of guarantor countries and institutions to achieve lasting stability in the region. He stresses that stability in Central Africa is crucial both for international peace and security and for the global economy and the energy transition. Thus, he calls for concerted action by international diplomacy and economic actors to put an end to the repeated aggressions that destabilize the DRC.
The failure of this tripartite summit is a new setback for the Angolan mediation process. The disruptions during the ministerial meeting highlighted the difficulties in reaching a lasting peace agreement in the region. Despite the efforts made, persistent obstacles, such as the divergent interests of regional actors and geopolitical issues, hamper conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
It is essential that countries and institutions involved in mediation redouble their efforts to overcome these obstacles and move towards a peaceful resolution of conflicts in Central Africa. The international community must support mediation efforts and strengthen conflict prevention mechanisms to ensure stability and security in the region.
In conclusion, the failed tripartite summit between the DRC, Rwanda and Angola reveals the complex challenges and issues that hinder peace in Central Africa. Calls for the sanctioning of Rwanda and the revitalization of the Framework Agreement underscore the urgency of concerted action to end the violence and establish lasting peace in the region.