Kagame Accepts Meeting with Tshisekedi to Address Eastern DR Congo Crisis
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has agreed to meet with Democratic Republic of the Congo counterpart Felix Tshisekedi to address the ongoing crisis in eastern Congo, according to an announcement by the Angolan government. The agreement emerged after a meeting in Angola’s capital, Luanda, between President Kagame, Angolan President João Lourenço, and the African Union’s mediator in the DR Congo crisis.
Following the meeting, Angola’s Foreign Minister Tete Antonio informed the press that President Kagame had agreed to meet President Tshisekedi at a date to be determined by the mediator. Both Rwanda and the DR Congo have reportedly consented to the meeting, and ministerial delegations from both sides are actively working on the logistics.
Rwanda’s presidency, in a statement on X, mentioned that the two leaders had “agreed on key steps towards addressing the root causes of the conflict.” This diplomatic move follows President Tshisekedi’s previous visit to Luanda, where it was announced that he had agreed to meet with President Kagame. However, the DR Congo leader insisted on the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory before engaging in talks with President Kagame, as stated by the DR Congo presidency.
The eastern DR Congo has witnessed heightened conflict between M23 rebels and Congolese forces, leading to the displacement of over 100,000 people in recent weeks, according to the United Nations. The DR Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, an allegation that Kigali vehemently denies.
The decision for the two leaders to engage in dialogue is a significant diplomatic development in addressing the complex and long-standing issues in the region. The planned meeting holds potential for fostering understanding and cooperation between Rwanda and the DR Congo, ultimately contributing to efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis and promoting stability in the affected areas.
