Presidents Kagame and Lourenço Discuss M23 Movement, FARDC, and FDLR in Efforts to Restore Peace Between Rwanda and the DRC

On September 19, 2024, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda held a phone conversation with his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço, to discuss the ongoing Luanda peace talks aimed at easing tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The discussions come in the context of insecurity in eastern DRC, involving the M23 Movement, the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), and the FDLR rebel group.

The Angolan President’s office confirmed the call, stating, “President João Lourenço of Angola spoke with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame this morning regarding Angola’s efforts to resolve the security crisis in eastern DRC.”

Additionally, President Lourenço dispatched Angola’s Foreign Minister, Téte Antonio, to Kinshasa to deliver a message to President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC. The message addressed pathways for restoring peace in eastern DRC, following the Luanda peace talks.

The call between Kagame and Lourenço came after a September 14 meeting in Luanda between Rwandan and DRC ministerial delegations. The meeting focused on dismantling the FDLR rebel group, halting hostilities between FARDC and M23, and achieving peace in North Kivu province. However, the talks did not yield the expected results, as DRC’s delegation rejected Angola’s proposal for joint efforts to eliminate the FDLR and engage in dialogue with the M23 Movement, which controls significant parts of the province.

On September 18, President Lourenço also met with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Huang Xia, to discuss the Luanda talks. Xia, who had visited both Kigali and Kinshasa, expressed the UN’s support for Lourenço’s ongoing efforts to bring lasting peace and security to eastern DRC.

During his visit to Kinshasa, Minister Téte reiterated Angola’s commitment to ensuring that the Luanda peace talks produce tangible outcomes, particularly in restoring peace and stability in the region.