After Unsuccessful Negotiations, Angola Withdraws its Mediation Role in the DRC-Rwanda War

Citing a string of fruitless talks and outside meddling, Angola has declared its intention to withdraw its mediation efforts in the ongoing conflict between the M23 rebels, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda. On Monday, March 24, the Republic of Angola’s Presidency made the statement.

“Angola has consistently maintained that direct talks between the M23 and the DRC Government are necessary, and she has fought to achieve this objective and obtained both sides’ approval for the first session to be held in Luanda on March 18 of this year. However, a number of reasons, including some outside concerns unconnected to the ongoing African process, led to the last-minute cancellation of this event,” the statement said.

Angola realised it needed to turn its attention to more continental objectives, such as peace, infrastructure, economic growth, and justice for Africans, after over two months as the chair of the African Union.

Among the many obstacles to Angola’s mediation attempts was the M23 rebels’ rejection of negotiations last week, claiming that involvement was hampered by international sanctions. The unexpected meeting between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in Doha, Qatar, further complicated the negotiations.

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