João Lourenço and Félix Tshisekedi discuss DRC tension

 Luanda - The President of Angola, João Lourenço, on Monday discussed by telephone with his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, the tense situation in the east of the DRC.

According to a communiqué from the Angolan President´s Press Office, to which ANGOP has had access, the conversation took place following the tripartite meeting held last Saturday (5), in Luanda, which brought together the heads of diplomacy of the DRC, Rwanda and Angola.

 

The statement adds that President João Lourenço spoke this afternoon with his DRC counterpart, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, having exchange views on the matters dealt with in the Angolan capital, both by the ministers and by security experts from the three countries.

 

The deterioration of the security climate in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo has forced an intensification of Angola´s diplomatic efforts, through President João Lourenço, as a mediator.

 

Tension in the east of the DRC has increased in recent months, following the resumption last March of fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 movement, according to the Kinshasa authorities, supported by neighbouring Rwanda.

 

Due to this fact, and since Angola chairs the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), a regional block to which the Democratic Congo belongs, the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, was mandated by the African Union to mediate the conflict, hence he has been multiplying in initiatives to achieve peace in the region.