The Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, has started a tour in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is expected there this Saturday, June 3, to discuss with the Congolese authorities the Luanda Roadmap for the pacification of the DRC.
Indeed, Angola plays an important role in this roadmap as a partner of the DRC and the United Nations. During a recent meeting between Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Angolan President João Lourenço, the possibility of deploying a military contingent of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) to the DRC to oversee the quartering of members of the armed group M-23 was discussed. .
This initiative was described as “very positive” by the UN Deputy Secretary General. However, the necessary conditions will have to be created to allow the deployment of this contingent. The United Nations has declared itself available to contribute to the establishment of these conditions.
This visit by Jean-Pierre Lacroix comes in a tense context in the DRC, where wars between armed groups and inter-community violence have been raging for years. The Luanda Roadmap for the pacification of the DRC is a plan to end this violence and restore peace and stability in the east of the country.
Thus, the visit of the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations shows a firm determination of the organization to support the DRC in its quest for peace and stability. Hopefully this visit will advance the Luanda Roadmap and strengthen the joint efforts of the Congolese government, Angola and the United Nations.