Luanda: Angola welcomed, on Friday, the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution 2773 on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to Angola's permanent representative to the United Nations, Francisco José da Cruz, this represents a significant step in the right direction, as it paves the way to achieve the collective result that all relevant actors and stakeholders in Africa and around the world have been demanding. According to Angola Press News Agency, reacting to the UN Security Council's decision, the Angolan diplomat highlighted the immediate cessation of hostilities, the unconditional ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional return to the negotiating table through the Luanda and Nairobi processes, and the support for sub-regional and regional efforts and initiatives to resolve the continent's issues. He noted that the Council has a responsibility to assist the DRC people and government in achieving these aspirations, acting quickly and decisively to prevent further esc alation of this conflict and promote its peaceful resolution. Francisco José da Cruz stressed that any further delays in approving this draft resolution to support an African approach to this long and destructive conflict would have compromised the credibility of this Council in its primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. During his intervention, he highlighted the need to maintain and consolidate the results of the Luanda Process under the mediation of the President of the Republic, Joo Lourenço, namely the ceasefire agreement and the adoption of a harmonized plan to neutralize the FDLR, under the responsibility of the DRC. He further mentioned the Force Disengagement Plan/Lift of Defensive Security Measures under the responsibility of Rwanda and the strengthening of the Ad-hoc Verification Mechanism by Intelligence experts from the three countries, Angola, DRC, and Rwanda. He emphasized that these developments have created momentum and relevan ce for the Nairobi Process, tasked with addressing issues due to the different armed groups operating in the DRC, including the M-23 issue. Additionally, Francisco José da Cruz reiterated the commitment of Joo Lourenço, as Chairperson of the African Union, to remain engaged in identifying the main issues affecting peace and security in Africa to contribute to the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts on the continent, with special emphasis and attention on the situation in eastern DRC. The diplomat highlighted that strict observance of the ceasefire agreed between the parties and the immediate cessation of all hostilities are fundamental to creating a political environment conducive to a peaceful solution under the Luanda and Nairobi Processes. In this context, Francisco José da Cruz appealed to the international community and the UN Security Council to continue supporting ongoing regional initiatives to improve coordination and harmonization between the Luanda and Nairobi processes, aiming to promote African-led solutions to Africa's main issues.
