Angola will host a summit on December 15 to continue peace efforts between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The summit, taking place in Luanda, aims to address the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel militia, supported by Rwanda, has caused widespread displacement and humanitarian crises.
The M23 rebel group, largely made up of ethnic Tutsi fighters and supported by Kigali, has been a major source of instability in the DRC since 2021. The militia has taken control of large portions of the DRC’s east, with the situation deteriorating since October despite an earlier truce brokered by Angola in August 2023. The conflict has forced thousands to flee their homes and exacerbated the region’s long-standing instability.
Angola, having successfully brokered a ceasefire in early August, will again play a central role in facilitating peace talks between the two nations. Despite violations of the ceasefire, diplomatic talks have continued under Angola’s mediation, and a committee to monitor ceasefire violations was established in November 2023. The peace process will focus on resolving issues of military withdrawal and militia disbandment.
A key element of the upcoming summit will be the implementation of a concept of operations document, designed to guide the military disengagement of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory. The document, which both countries approved last week, will serve as a critical tool to ensure the peace process moves forward, including plans to dismantle militia groups such as the FDLR, which Kigali considers a security threat.
DR Congo’s eastern region has long been a hotbed for cross-border violence, with multiple militias vying for control. The summit in Luanda is seen as a crucial step toward ending a decades-long conflict that has devastated the region and displaced millions.