Luanda: The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) is conducting an emergency ministerial session to address the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This virtual meeting, requested by the DRC, includes participation from Angola, acting as the chair of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). According to Angola Press News Agency, Angola, serving its fourth two-year term on the PSC, is playing a key role in this emergency session. The agenda features notable speeches from Angola and includes addresses by Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kacou Houadja Leon Adom, and the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye. Countries such as Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya are also set to contribute to the discussions. Angolan President Joo Lourenço has voiced his concern over the deteriorating peace and security situation in Eastern DRC. He condemned the actions of Moviment 23 (M23) and their recent illegal occupat ions in Sake and Minova, labeling them as irresponsible. The President emphasized that military solutions are not viable and urged all parties to return to negotiations. Angola's permanent representative to the UN, Francisco da Cruz, echoed President Lourenço's commitment during a United Nations Security Council meeting. He highlighted the progress of the Luanda Process and called for a reduction in tensions and renewed engagement for resolving outstanding issues. Burundi's representative endorsed the Luanda and Nairobi processes as effective frameworks for achieving a ceasefire. He urged the Council to act against foreign interference and to help restore DRC's sovereignty. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the DRC, stressed the importance of political solutions over military actions, advocating for continued political negotiations under the Luanda Process. Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea's representative urged Rwanda to cease support for M23 and called for dialogue between Kinshasa and Kigali. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC's Minister for Foreign Affairs, accused Rwanda of orchestrating violence and linked the crisis to economic exploitation. She highlighted illegal coltan extraction and other acts of aggression as exacerbating the conflict. Rwanda's representative countered, attributing the crisis to the DRC's lack of commitment to peace. While acknowledging milestones achieved by the Luanda Process, he pointed out increased militarization by the DRC in October 2024 as a complicating factor.
