Africa-Press – Angola. The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, highlighted, this Monday, the diplomatic efforts led by Angola to resolve the crisis in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to “Notícias ao Minuto”, in a 2022 review made to the press at UN headquarters in New York, Guterres listed a series of advances achieved in conflict resolution through diplomatic efforts, especially on the African continent.
“In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the diplomatic efforts led by Angola and the East African Community have created a framework for political dialogue to resolve the crisis in the eastern region of the country,” he said.
Angola has been a mediator in the conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, due to attacks by the rebel movement March 23 (M23), which Kinshasa says was supported by the Rwandans, in eastern DRC.
On 23 November, the Angolan President, João Lourenço, organized a summit in Luanda where he received officials from both countries, as well as representatives from other African countries and organisations, with an agreement reached for a ceasefire which, however, it is not being fulfilled by the rebels, who are accused of massacring civilians.
With regard to Ethiopia, the former Portuguese Prime Minister highlighted the efforts of the African Union to mediate peace, considering them a “reason for hope”.
“A cessation of hostilities and implementation agreements are in place. A pathway to assistance in the northern part of the country is emerging,” Guterres said, still on the situation in Ethiopia.
According to the leader of the United Nations, despite “many reasons for despair”, there are still reasons to have “hope” in the resolution of the conflicts that plague the world, mainly due to the “rebirth of diplomacy” in recent months.
“The truce in Yemen has brought real dividends to the people. Since then, there has been no major military operation in a conflict where innocent people paid the highest price.
Civilian flights resumed from Sanaa. Vital supplies are finally arriving at the port of Hudaydah”, gave António Guterres as an example.
For 2023, the UN will remain committed to promoting peace and security, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, combating inequalities and reforming the “morally bankrupt international financial system”, stressed the Secretary-General.
Luanda Summit
The summit on peace and security in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo decided on the cessation of hostilities. Under the mediation of the Angolan President, João Lourenço, as mediator of the African Union, which has been tireless in the search for peaceful solutions for the Great Lakes Region.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, as well as the President of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye, and the former head of state of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, invited by João Lourenço, were also present at the Luanda summit.
The security situation in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo was the topic under discussion at the meeting, when the heads of state “expressed their concern regarding the worsening of insecurity and the persistent military actions of the M23”.
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