Africa-Press – Angola. Angola ́s Head of State, João Lourenço, on Sunday in the Ethiopian capital held a meeting with his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, aiming to discuss issues of common interest.
The meeting took place at the Headquarters of the African Union, on the sidelines of the 39th Summit of Heads of State and Government, which closes Sunday (15) in Addis Ababa.
The Angolan Head of State has mediated the conflict affecting the east of the DRC, where clashes between the Congolese Armed Forces and the March 23 movement (M23) exacerbate the humanitarian situation and raise regional tension with the involvement of Rwanda.
Angola, as facilitator of the peace process, has intensified diplomatic efforts to bring the parties closer together and restore stability in the region.
Following the meeting held last Monday in Luanda, between the Angolan Head of State, the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, and the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, Angola has proposed the entry into force of a ceasefire between the Congolese Government and the M23, starting at 12.00 on the 18th.
The proposal is the result of consultations with interested parties and awaits public acceptance of the suggested date.
As regards the start of the preparatory phase of the inter-Congolese dialogue scheduled to take place in Luanda, the official announcement will be made in due time as part of the ongoing efforts to consolidate peace and promote national reconciliation in the DRC.
Bilateral Cooperation
Bilateral cooperation between Angola and the DRC is focused in the strengthening of regional border security and economic integration through strategic infrastructure.
During the current month, the two countries strengthened public security ties with significant advances, highlighting the creation of the Permanent Joint Committee on Defence and Public Security, signed in Luanda, the control reinforcement along the common border to stop organised crime and better manage the migration flow.
The agreement also aims at extending the exchange of technical-police training and coordinated response strategies to prevent instability in the region.
On the economic side, the partnership focuses on regional connectivity and trade.
Investments are planned, with the support of the World Bank (WB), in transmission lines that will connect northern Angola to the south of the DRC, allowing the export of surpluses of Angolan energy.
In the small industry and fisheries sector, the parties have facilitated licences for export of fish from Angola to the DRC, replacing imports from more distant partners.
However, the Lobito Corridor remains as the strategic axis for the transport of raw materials and goods between the two countries and the international market.
