Luanda has formally relinquished its role as chief mediator in the protracted conflict between Congolese forces and M23 rebels, citing the need to focus on continental leadership duties. The presidential announcement comes after months of fruitless negotiations and a recent breakdown in planned face-to-face talks.
President João Lourenço’s office stated his new position as African Union chair now demands full attention, effectively ending Angola’s year-long mediation effort. The withdrawal follows the spectacular collapse of March negotiations when M23 representatives refused to attend, protesting newly imposed EU sanctions against their leadership.
“Two months after taking over the chairmanship of the African Union, Angola considers that it is time to free itself from the responsibility of mediator of this conflict in the east of the DRC entrusted to it,” the statement said.
“With the African Union Commission, work will be done so that we can find, in the coming days, the head of state of a country who can assume this role of mediator of the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda, who will be supported, of course, by the countries of SADC, the East African Community, and the designated facilitators of the conflict.”
African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat acknowledged Angola’s “tireless efforts” in attempting to broker peace through the Luanda Process framework. Diplomatic sources confirm Faki had personally commended Lourenço for maintaining dialogue channels despite mounting obstacles.
The Angolan leader had achieved what many considered impossible last year – convincing Kinshasa to sit directly with the Rwanda-backed insurgents. This breakthrough followed President Tshisekedi’s initial refusal to recognize M23 as legitimate negotiators. The resulting August 2024 ceasefire, however, proved short-lived as fighting resumed within weeks.
In a surprise development, Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Kagame held clandestine talks in Qatar last week, marking their first known meeting since M23’s capture of key eastern cities. Middle Eastern mediators reportedly shuttled between both leaders for months before securing the Doha encounter.
The humanitarian toll continues mounting alarmingly. UN refugee agencies report more than 100,000 new displacements in 90 days, with camps in Uganda and Burundi overwhelmed by fresh arrivals. Aid workers describe catastrophic conditions in conflict zones where medical supplies and food remain blocked by ongoing hostilities.
Regional analysts suggest Angola’s exit leaves a dangerous vacuum in mediation efforts, with no clear successor to take up the complex dossier. The African Union now faces mounting pressure to appoint a new mediator before the security situation deteriorates further.
