Lourenço withdraws from Congo mediation

According to commentators in Luanda, President Lourenço’s withdrawal from the mediation presents a significant setback in efforts to resolve the conflict, which the DRC accuses Rwanda of backing, increasing uncertainty about the future of the peace negotiations in the region.

President Lourenço had taken a proactive role in trying to pacify the region, leading the Luanda Process and proposing a lasting peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda. 

In August 2024, he presented a concrete proposal for a peace agreement to the two countries, following the coming into force of a ceasefire on August 4, 2024.

Last month, he condemned the capture of Goma by the M23 rebel group and called for the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from DRC territory, calling these actions serious violations of the ceasefire and ongoing peacemaking efforts.

Read: Ruto, Lourenço seek joint EAC-SADC push for peace in DRC

The Angolan leader did not attend the joint summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community, recently held in Tanzania, an important event for regional diplomacy.

In a recent interview with Jeune Afrique at the Presidential Palace in Luanda, which was published Thursday by the publication and Saturday on the country’s presidency social media pages, Lourenço said that though he would continue with the peace efforts as AU chair, he would not continue leading the Luanda Process.

“I will find this dossier [DRC-Rwanda] and others and, of course, I will continue my efforts, although I believe that in my new capacity as pro tempore president of the AU, I should not dedicate myself solely to one conflict,” he said.

“I should pass the baton to another country, to another head of state to mediate in this conflict so that the president of the AU can devote himself to this conflict and others,” he added.