Luanda, March 25, 2025 – Angola has announced its decision to step down as mediator in the escalating conflict in eastern Congo, where the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continue their offensive. The move comes after a planned peace dialogue in Luanda failed to materialize, with another African nation set to assume the mediation role in the coming days.
Angola's Role and the Stalled Peace Talks
As the current Chair of the African Union (AU), Angolan President João Lourenço had been leading efforts to secure a ceasefire and reduce tensions between Congo and Rwanda, which has been accused of supporting M23—a charge Kigali denies.
In a historic shift, Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi, who had long refused to engage with the rebel group, agreed to send a delegation for direct negotiations in Luanda last week. However, M23 abruptly withdrew following European Union sanctions against both its leaders and Rwandan officials.
The Angolan presidency, in a statement on Monday, cited the "aborted" Luanda meeting as a key reason for its withdrawal, stating:
"Angola considers the need to free itself from the responsibility of the mediator of this conflict to devote itself more to the AU’s overall priorities."
Shifting Mediation Efforts and Regional Response
A new head of state will be appointed as mediator in the coming days, while regional diplomatic efforts continue. Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) will convene a second joint summit on Monday to discuss the ongoing crisis.
Kenyan President William Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa are set to co-chair the virtual summit, signaling renewed efforts to find a resolution.
M23 and Kinshasa: Ceasefire Prospects and Military Posturing
Despite international pressure, M23 last week dismissed a joint call for an immediate ceasefire by Congo and Rwanda, maintaining that direct negotiations with Kinshasa are the only viable path to peace.
However, in a rare conciliatory move, the rebel group announced it would withdraw from the seized town of Walikale to demonstrate commitment to de-escalation efforts. In response, the Congolese army pledged to refrain from launching any offensives against enemy forces to encourage stability.
Yet, as of Monday, reports from civil society representatives and residents in Walikale indicated that M23 fighters remained in the town, raising concerns about the credibility of their withdrawal.
A Conflict Rooted in History and Resources
The ongoing violence is deeply tied to long-standing ethnic tensions, the legacy of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, and the struggle for control over Congo’s vast mineral wealth, including gold and tantalum. Despite multiple ceasefire agreements, diplomatic interventions, and international sanctions, the conflict has persisted, underscoring the complexity of achieving a lasting resolution.
As Angola steps back, all eyes are now on the next mediator and whether fresh diplomatic efforts can bring the warring parties back to the negotiating table.
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