Johannesburg, South Africa – Angola’s abrupt decision to withdraw from the mediation process between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda has sent shockwaves through African diplomatic circles. Although officially framed as a strategic shift, sources close to the matter confirm the move was the result of mounting frustration, deliberate acts of diplomatic bad faith, and growing external interference that ultimately undermined the African-led peace initiative spearheaded by President João Lourenço.
AfricaHeadline Reports Team
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According to high-level diplomatic sources in Luanda and Addis Ababa, the decision was not taken lightly. Since 2022, President Lourenço had invested political capital, logistical resources, and diplomatic weight in bringing the DRC and Rwanda to the negotiating table. Mandated by the African Union, Angola served as the main facilitator of talks aimed at de-escalating tensions in eastern Congo. But despite Angola’s efforts, the process was plagued by sabotage from actors who, while appearing to support dialogue, were pursuing hidden agendas.
The final blow came in mid-March 2025. On March 11, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi visited Luanda for consultations with João Lourenço. During that meeting, he failed to disclose any plans to engage in external talks. Yet just a week later, on March 18 — the very day his delegation was scheduled to meet with representatives of the M23 rebel group in Luanda — Tshisekedi appeared in Doha, Qatar, in a surprise meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The incident left Angolan officials blindsided and deeply betrayed.
“The meeting in Doha was a turning point,” said a senior diplomat familiar with the negotiations. “It wasn’t just about breaking protocol — it publicly undermined Angola’s leadership and the African Union’s authority.” The incident not only exposed divisions within the mediation framework but also signaled to Luanda that its role was being systematically eroded.
The situation was further compounded by the collapse of a summit scheduled for 15 December 2024 in Luanda. That meeting was expected to cement key agreements, including the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and the neutralization of the FDLR by the DRC. However, Kigali failed to attend, and Kinshasa showed limited follow-through on its commitments — a pattern that had already frustrated Angolan mediators for months.
Regional experts suggest that Angola’s withdrawal must also be understood in the broader geopolitical context. The eastern DRC, rich in resources and strategically located, has become a focal point for external actors seeking influence, including Gulf nations and Western powers. Qatar’s entry as an uninvited mediator — with no coordination with the African Union’s Peace and Security Council — was seen by many as a direct challenge to Africa’s principle of solving its own problems.
Despite the setback, Angola maintained its diplomatic composure. Foreign Minister Téte António publicly reaffirmed the country’s belief in African solutions for African problems, warning that uncoordinated external involvement could erode trust and intensify the crisis. For Luanda, regional dialogue involving the AU, SADC, and the East African Community remains the only legitimate path toward sustainable peace.
President Lourenço’s withdrawal also reflects a recalibration of Angola’s priorities as it assumes the AU’s rotating presidency. With a continental agenda focused on security, infrastructure, disease control, and economic development, Luanda is choosing to invest its diplomatic energy where it can lead with impact — and on its own terms.
Former diplomats and analysts in Luanda say the decision marks a clear message: Angola will no longer carry the burden of a peace process that the key parties themselves are unwilling to respect. “This was a bitter lesson,” said a retired African envoy. “Angola set the standard, made the effort, and is now stepping back with its dignity intact.”
Yet a critical question remains: Can peace in eastern DRC be achieved without trust and honest commitment from its own leadership? For President João Lourenço, the answer appears to be no. Peace cannot be imposed — it must be built on sincerity, cooperation, and an unwavering respect for African sovereignty.
