President João Lourenço’s Message Focuses on Advancing the Peace Process Between DR Congo and Rwanda

Angolan President João Lourenço, who is mediating peace talks between Rwanda and DR Congo, has sent a message to his DR Congo counterpart, Félix Tshisekedi, delivered by Angola’s Foreign Minister. The contents of the message remain unknown, but after delivering it, Téte António told journalists that discussions at their level seemed to be concluded.

António also mentioned that he himself did not know the details of the message, but noted that President Tshisekedi appreciated the work done by the foreign ministers. In recent weeks, intelligence, military, and foreign affairs chiefs met in Luanda and Rubavu, Rwanda, to discuss a “peace plan leading to lasting peace” that President João Lourenço presented to his counterparts Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi.

DR Congo’s Minister of Communication stated last week that in Luanda, they are addressing two issues: dismantling the FDLR rebel group and withdrawing Rwandan troops from DR Congo. Last weekend, Rwanda and DR Congo’s foreign affairs officials met in Luanda to review an expert report and signed a document following their Saturday meeting.

Angolan media reported that Rwanda and DR Congo have yet to agree on how the FDLR should be dismantled. After delivering Lourenço’s message to Tshisekedi, the DR Congo president’s office mentioned that Minister Téte António said:

“We gathered in Luanda to work on this peace path. Every path has its steps, and after completion, things must rise to the top.”

It remains unclear if Minister Téte António is also carrying a similar message to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who was on a visit to Singapore until Thursday.

Téte António’s statements suggest that the Luanda peace talks might continue at the level of the presidents of Rwanda and DR Congo. Earlier this year, João Lourenço’s efforts to bring Tshisekedi and Kagame together did not succeed. Last year, during his campaign, Tshisekedi stated that he would no longer meet with Kagame, saying: “We will only speak again before God, who will judge us.”

However, after winning the election, Tshisekedi softened his tone. In an August interview with two Congolese journalists, he said:

“What I meant is that I want to communicate with Rwanda, not negotiate… to talk with Rwanda and ask Mr. Kagame what he wants with my people.”

Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group to destabilize his country, a claim Rwanda denies. Rwanda, in turn, accuses DR Congo of collaborating with the Rwandan FDLR rebels, who oppose Kigali and reside in DR Congo. Kinshasa denies this as well.

Various UN expert reports confirm that both sides engage in the actions they deny.