In a note released by the Presidency's press service, it is highlighted that João Lourenço continued diplomatic efforts, after meeting on Wednesday in Luanda with his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi, having spoken on the telephone this Thursday with the heads of state of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and of France, Emmanuel Macron.
The focus of the mediator appointed by the African Union “consisted of the vehement appeal” for the preservation of the gains already achieved within the framework of the Luanda Process, namely the ceasefire, the Neutralization of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the Disengagement of Forces/Lifting of Security Measures adopted by Rwanda, that is, the withdrawal of the Rwandan Defence Forces from the territory of the DR Congo.
The press release stresses that, “despite mediation efforts, only the goodwill and commitment of the parties (...) will allow progress in the peace process in eastern DR Congo, which has not been observed”, adding that efforts to bring the parties closer together, ease tensions and restore peace will continue.
The war is between the M23 rebel movement, supported by Rwanda, and the government army. The rebels are gaining ground in eastern DR Congo, where there have been numerous outbreaks of contagious diseases and a huge shortage of aid from the humanitarian community, which considers the situation very difficult.
M23 took control of a large part of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, earlier this week and is advancing towards South Kivu, with its leaders declaring their intention to continue advancing towards Kinshasa.
"We are in Goma to stay," said the head of the political-military platform to which M23 belongs, Corneille Nangaa, at a press conference in Goma, in which he assured: "We will continue the liberation march to Kinshasa."
