As a prelude to direct negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23, the Angolan President, mediator in this peace process, calls on both parties to cease all hostilities in eastern Congo-Kinshasa starting March 16, 2025.
According to João Lourenço, this ceasefire must cover all possible hostile actions against civilians, as well as the capture of new positions. “As part of the ongoing efforts of the Angolan mediation to contribute to an urgent solution to the instability prevailing in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, His Excellency João Maneuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairman-in-Office of the African Union, in his capacity as Mediator of this Peace Process, calls on the parties to the conflict to cease all hostilities in this area of the DRC, as of midnight on March 16, 2025,” the Angolan Presidency stated in a statement. He continued: “The ceasefire must include all possible hostile actions against civilian populations, as well as the conquest of new positions in the conflict zone, to ensure that these initiatives and many others can lead to the creation of a climate of de-escalation that will allow the start of peace talks, to be held very soon in Luanda, between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23.”
Direct negotiations between the DRC and the M23 will begin on March 18 in Luanda, Angola, under Angolan mediation. Invitations have been sent to both parties, who have not yet confirmed their participation in these discussions, which should lead to the restoration of peace in eastern DR Congo.
