"We are negotiating at ministerial level, with the prospect of very soon being able to get the two heads of state, President [Felix] Tshisekedi, of DRCongo, and President Paul Kagame, of Rwanda, to talk directly about the urgent need to find definitive peace for that region", said João Lourenço, speaking to the press, at the end of the agreement signing ceremony between Angola and Côte d'Ivoire, where he began a two-day official visit this Thursday.
João Lourenço expressed optimism "that, sooner or later", the definitive solution will be found that will bring peace to DRCongo, a country neighboring Angola.
"War is not good for anyone, both countries lose with the current situation, not just DRCongo, but the entire Great Lakes region is suffering from the conflict in that region of our continent", he stressed.
The head of state, who is also president of the Southern African Development Community and the Conference of the Great Lakes Region, said that work continues within the framework of the so-called Luanda Process and the appreciation at the highest level of the two heads of state is that "there is an awareness that there are no military victories".
"The only way out is, without a shadow of a doubt, to negotiate and seek to resolve this conflict around a negotiation table, that is what we are doing", he said.
"We have a mandate from the African Union, which has closely monitored the steps we have been taking, and we believe that, with the support of everyone, from the African Union itself, from the United Nations – which is also very concerned about the situation in that country –, we will be able to achieve peace in Congolese territory", he added.
The conflict between Rwanda and DRCongo has intensified since 2022, especially in the east of the country, and the President has acted as a mediator appointed by the African Union (AU) to reach a peaceful solution.
