Luanda: The President of Togo, Faure Gnassingb©, arrived in Luanda to address issues related to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Recently appointed by the African Union (AU) as the mediator of the process, President Gnassingb© is set to meet with his Angolan counterpart, Joo Louren§o, who is also the acting president of the African Union.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Faure Gnassingb© was welcomed at the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport by the Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs, T©te Ant³nio. The Togolese leader did not issue any statements to the press upon his arrival. This visit comes after his appointment as a mediator, succeeding President Joo Louren§o, who stepped down from the role last month to focus on leading the African Union.
Angola has acknowledged in a statement the necessity of transferring the responsibility of mediating the DRC conflict to concentrate on broader priorities set by the continental organization. This decision aligns with Angola's broader strategic goals within the African Union.
In January 2025, the M23 rebel group launched a rapid offensive in the North Kivu province, seizing control of key cities, Goma and Bukavu, which has intensified the urgency of international mediation efforts.
