Luanda: Angolan President Joo Louren§o met Wednesday in Luanda with his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), F©lix Tchissekedi, who came to the capital for the purpose. The issue of the armed conflict in the east of the country, which involves DRC government forces and M23 rebels supported by Rwanda, has led to regular consultations between President Joo Louren§o and F©lix Tchissekedi, in his capacity as chairman of the African Union.
According to Angola Press News Agency, speaking to the press at the end of the two-hour meeting, Angolan Foreign Minister T©te Ant³nio said that during the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the good relations that exist between the two countries and peoples. The minister added that the two leaders agreed to hold regular consultations as part of Angola’s responsibilities as chair of the African Union.
Early Monday, Angola announced its withdrawal from the mediation of the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to devote itself to the general priorities defined by the African Union for peace and security on the whole continent. According to a statement by the Presidency of the Republic, the necessary steps will be taken in the coming days with the AU Commission to identify the country whose head of state will take over the mediation of the conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.
The statement makes it clear that, almost two months after assuming the rotating presidency of the AU, Angola considers it necessary to relieve itself of the responsibility of mediating the conflict in order to devote itself “more fully” to the general priorities of the continental organization.