Angolan President João Lourenço has launched a renewed diplomatic offensive to de-escalate the worsening conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Acting as the African Union’s designated mediator, Lourenço convened high-level talks in Luanda this week, bringing together regional leaders to revive the stalled “Luanda Process” amid a surge in fighting between the Congolese army and M23 rebels.
The push for peace comes at a critical moment. Following the recent deployment of private security forces and drones to strategic mining hubs like Rubaya, the humanitarian crisis in North Kivu has reached a breaking point, with over 7 million people now internally displaced. Lourenço’s strategy focuses on securing a definitive ceasefire and establishing a roadmap for the withdrawal of foreign-backed militias. During a closed-door session with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, Lourenço emphasized that “military solutions alone cannot bring lasting stability to the Great Lakes region.”
Central to this new push is a proposal for a “neutral monitoring mechanism” at the DRC-Rwanda border to address Kinshasa’s allegations of Rwandan support for the M23, claims Kigali continues to deny. Lourenço is also pressuring both sides to honor previous agreements regarding the cantonment of rebel fighters. Diplomatic sources suggest that Angola is leveraging its growing influence as a regional energy hub to encourage cooperation from neighboring states who are wary of a full-scale regional war.
The international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, has voiced strong support for Lourenço’s mediation. However, the task remains daunting. The recent influx of private military contractors and the competition for “conflict minerals” like coltan have added layers of complexity to a decades-old struggle.
Lourenço’s proactive leadership represents a significant effort toward “African solutions for African problems.” As the Luanda talks continue into the weekend, the success of this mission will be measured by whether a humanitarian corridor can be successfully established to reach millions of civilians trapped in the crossfire.
