By Ollus Ndomu
The planned meeting between DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, scheduled for Wednesday in Luanda with Angolan President João Lourenço as mediator, has been officially cancelled. The cancellation comes after Kagame insisted that Tshisekedi agree to dialogue with the M23 rebels, a demand Tshisekedi reportedly rejected.
Tensions between the two nations have been escalating, fueled by the presence of M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo, which are allegedly backed by Rwanda. This crisis has resulted in increased insecurity in the region, with daily clashes between rebels and Congolese forces.
The cancellation is a significant setback for efforts to de-escalate the conflict. The planned meeting was seen as a potential breakthrough in addressing the ongoing violence and fostering dialogue between the two countries.
Angola’s President Lourenço, who was to mediate the discussions, expressed disappointment at the development, urging both sides to reconsider their positions for the sake of peace.
The stalemate leaves the situation in DR Congo’s eastern region precarious, with little indication of an immediate resolution to the conflict.
