https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250324/angola-refuses-to-remain-mediator-in-drc-military-conflict-1071237836.html
Angola Refuses to Remain Mediator in DRC Military Conflict
Angola Refuses to Remain Mediator in DRC Military Conflict
Sputnik Africa
The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over the escalating situation in eastern DRC, urging an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to... 24.03.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-03-24T13:01+0100
2025-03-24T13:01+0100
2025-03-25T10:06+0100
angola
rwanda
african union (au)
southern africa development community (sadc)
democratic republic of the congo (drc)
m23 rebels offensive in dr congo (2025)
m23 rebels
central africa
east africa
the congo river alliance (afc)
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Angola is stepping down as a mediator in the settlement of the military conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Angolan president’s office said on Monday. At the same time, the Angolan authorities promised to take necessary steps in collaboration with the African Union Commission to "identify the country whose Head of State, supported by SADC [Southern African Development Community], the East African Community, and the facilitators, will take on the mediation of the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda." Direct negotiations between the DRC authorities and the M23 rebel movement were supposed to begin on March 18 in the Angolan capital of Luanda, but the M23 refused to participate in negotiations. After the failure of mediation efforts under the auspices of Angola, the M23 movement resumed its offensive in the DRC, seizing large parts of the country's east. The DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels and urged it to withdraw troops from the country. Rwanda has denied the accusations. In late January, the M23 captured Goma, the capital of the eastern DRC province of North Kivu. In mid-February, the rebels entered Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province.Rwanda Welcomes M23 Withdrawal and DRC’s Ceasefire AnnouncementRwandan authorities on Sunday welcomed the M23 rebel group's withdrawal from Walikale and the DRC’s decision to halt hostilities in eastern DRC. In a statement, the government reaffirmed its support for peace efforts, emphasizing the importance of political and security solutions.Rwanda expressed commitment to working with all parties within the EAC-SADC Summit framework to ensure adherence to peace commitments.Furthermore, on Saturday, the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which comprises M23 rebels, announced their plan to "reposition" their forces away from Walikale and nearby regions, stating that this move is in support of peace efforts.However, on Monday, the AFC's spokesperson clarified that the Armed Forces of the DRC and their allied forces have not withdrawn their attack drones from Walikale, hindering the repositioning of AFC/M23 forces in the region. This development, he added, "represents a major obstacle to the respect of the ceasefire and undermines ongoing peace initiatives."
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250318/m23-rebels-refuse-to-negotiate-with-drc-authorities-due-to-eu-sanctions-afc-coalition-spokesperson-1071137270.html
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angola, rwanda, african union (au), southern africa development community (sadc), democratic republic of the congo (drc), m23 rebels, central africa, east africa, the congo river alliance (afc), conflict, drones
angola, rwanda, african union (au), southern africa development community (sadc), democratic republic of the congo (drc), m23 rebels, central africa, east africa, the congo river alliance (afc), conflict, drones
Angola Refuses to Remain Mediator in DRC Military Conflict
Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over the escalating situation in eastern DRC, urging an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to negotiations. Russia's UN representative highlighted his deep concern regarding the M23 rebellion and condemned the conflict's escalation.
Angola is stepping down as a mediator in the settlement of the military conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Angolan president’s office said on Monday.
"Nearly two months after assuming the current Chairmanship of the African Union, Angola recognizes the need to relieve itself of the responsibility of mediating this conflict in eastern DRC, in order to more comprehensively focus on the general priorities established by the continental organization," the
statement read.
At the same time, the Angolan authorities promised to take necessary steps in collaboration with the African Union Commission to "identify the country whose Head of State, supported by SADC [Southern African Development Community], the East African Community, and the facilitators, will take on the mediation of the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda."
Direct
negotiations between the DRC authorities and the M23 rebel movement were supposed to begin on March 18 in the Angolan capital of Luanda, but the M23 refused to participate in negotiations.
After the failure of mediation efforts under the auspices of Angola, the M23 movement resumed its offensive in the DRC, seizing large parts of the country's east. The DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels and urged it to withdraw troops from the country. Rwanda has denied the accusations. In late January, the M23 captured Goma, the capital of the eastern DRC province of North Kivu. In mid-February, the rebels entered Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province.
Rwanda Welcomes M23 Withdrawal and DRC’s Ceasefire Announcement
Rwandan authorities on Sunday
welcomed the M23 rebel group's withdrawal from Walikale and the DRC’s decision to halt hostilities in eastern DRC. In a statement, the government reaffirmed its support for peace efforts, emphasizing the importance of political and security solutions.
Rwanda expressed commitment to working with all parties within the EAC-SADC Summit framework to ensure adherence to peace commitments.
Furthermore, on Saturday, the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which comprises M23 rebels,
announced their plan to "reposition" their forces away from Walikale and nearby regions, stating that this move is in support of peace efforts.
However, on Monday, the AFC's spokesperson
clarified that the Armed Forces of the DRC and their allied forces have not withdrawn their attack drones from Walikale, hindering the repositioning of AFC/M23 forces in the region. This development, he added, "represents a major obstacle to the respect of the ceasefire and undermines ongoing peace initiatives."
