DRC: Towards AU involvement in the peace process in North Kivu

Since Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi embarked on a two-day working visit to Mauritania, which concluded on Thursday evening after a brief stopover in Lomé. His discussions with President Faure Gnassingbé in Lomé centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation between their respective countries.

In Nouakchott, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, also serving as the rotating President of the African Union (AU), welcomed President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Their meeting focused on diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing armed conflict in the eastern region of the DRC, which has strained relations with neighboring Rwanda.

The conflict, marked by renewed clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels seeking control over eastern Congo, has prompted concerns of military escalation in the region.

To mitigate these risks and restore stability, President Ghazouani, representing the AU, pledged firm diplomatic support for peace initiatives in the DRC during his discussions with President Tshisekedi.

This visit follows a recent diplomatic engagement in Nouakchott involving a special envoy from Rwandan President Paul Kagame, indicating regional efforts to find peaceful resolutions to the conflict.

Prior to President Tshisekedi’s arrival, President Ghazouani also held discussions with Angolan President João Lourenço to address the broader regional implications of the situation in eastern Congo.

Overall, these diplomatic engagements highlight collaborative efforts within the African Union and among regional leaders to promote peace and stability in conflict-affected areas of Central Africa.

Jean-Robert Tchandy