Luanda – Angolan president João Lourenço received Thursday the special envoy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Jean Claude Bukasa, with whom he discussed issues of common interest.
Jean Claude Bukasa, President Félix Tshisekedi’s special envoy for security issues, did not speak to the press at the end of the audience.
Angola and DRC, both members of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), have had high-level contacts on peace, stability and security.
President Lourenço assumes the rotating presidency of the ICGLR, an organisation created to address peace and security issues in the region.
Tension in the Great Lakes region rose earlier this year after the resumption of fighting between the DRC army and the March 23 movement (M23), which it accuses the neighbouring Rwanda of supporting the group (M23).
Angola chairs the ICGLR and has multiplied initiatives to ensure peace in the region.
As such, the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, has been mandated by the African Union to mediate in the conflict.
ICGLR comprises Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Angola and DRC share about 2,500 kilometres of border.
Source: Angola Press News Agency