Angola's President João Lourenço makes new push for peace in eastern DRC

Ceasefire Call in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angola's President, alongside African Union representatives, has called for a ceasefire in the conflict-affected eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This announcement followed a meeting with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in Luanda.

The region, rich in resources and bordering Rwanda and Burundi, has experienced persistent conflict involving the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group. The conflict intensified last year, with M23 capturing key cities despite diplomatic efforts, including a US-brokered peace deal in December and a mediation initiative by Qatar.

In a statement, Angolan President and AU chairperson João Lourenço urged the conflicting parties in the DRC to declare a ceasefire effective on an agreed date and time. The statement emphasized the need to accelerate the implementation of the Ceasefire Verification Mechanisms established in Doha on Sat, Oct 14, 2025.

President Tshisekedi signed the statement along with Togolese leader Fauré Gnassingbe and former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, who serve as AU mediator and facilitators of the DRC peace process, respectively. The leaders endorsed the US-brokered peace agreement and stated that Angola would engage in consultations with all interested Congolese parties.

Qatar has been mediating between the Congolese government and the M23, with a commitment towards a ceasefire signed in July. In December, the DRC and Rwanda formalized a US-brokered peace deal in Washington, which includes a monitoring mechanism for a permanent ceasefire, supported on the ground by the UN mission in the DRC, MONUSCO.

The United Nations has announced plans to dispatch a mission to the region to assist in enforcing the ceasefire. However, a recent drone attack by M23 on an airport in Kisangani has escalated the conflict further.

Based on reporting by Africanews.