President Paul Kagame held talks with Angolan President João Lourenço on efforts to find a long-term and sustainable solution to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The discussion comes as regional leaders intensify efforts to resolve the escalating crisis, which has deepened tensions in the Great Lakes region.
“Earlier today, I had a productive conversation with President João Lourenço and discussed the need for a long-term and sustainable solution to the ongoing situation in the DRC,” Kagame said on his X account on Thursday night.
”We also reaffirmed our commitment to working with others on the continent to find a solution, while deepening our strong bilateral partnership going forward,” Kagame stated.
The talks between the two leaders follow Kagame’s remarks during an EAC Extraordinary Summit chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto, where he questioned the effectiveness of regional mediation efforts and the lack of commitment from some actors in resolving the crisis. Kagame had specifically mentioned Lourenço, who has played a key role in past mediation efforts under the Luanda Process, a framework aimed at easing tensions between Rwanda and DRC.
In a development adding to the growing diplomatic tension, Kagame spoke with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday in a heavily worded conversation that has since turned into a diplomatic spat. The exchange, reportedly laced with sharp remarks, escalated into a back-and-forth that included veiled war threats, highlighting the deepening divides between key regional leaders.
The conversation between Kagame and Lourenço signals a renewed push for diplomatic engagement at a time when regional efforts, including those by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), have stalled.
Tensions in the eastern DRC have continued to escalate, with ongoing clashes between the M23 rebels and Congolese forces (FARDC), exacerbated by the involvement of foreign troops, including those under SADC’s military mission (SAMIDRC). Rwanda has repeatedly called out Kinshasa’s alliances with genocidal groups like the FDLR, warning that the instability threatens regional security.
Lourenço, who has previously facilitated peace efforts between Rwanda and DRC, has been seen as a key figure in mediating diplomatic tensions. However, Kagame has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of these processes, warning that without full commitment from all parties, peace will remain elusive. “The Nairobi process became a whole process, then the Luanda process, it’s like you can’t say anything that will displease President Lorenzo. Definitely, this does not help deal with such serious matters as we are faced with today,”Kagame said yesterday during the EAC meeting, which Tchisekedi and Ndayishimiye snubbed on the last minute.
The ongoing conflict has also put regional blocs at odds, with the EAC pushing for dialogue while SADC deploys troops to back DRC’s military operations. Kagame has criticized the exclusion of key players from these discussions, arguing that a fragmented approach will only prolong the crisis.
The Kagame-Lourenço discussions suggest that Rwanda and Angola are exploring alternative diplomatic avenues outside the stalled EAC-SADC efforts. Their bilateral partnership, reaffirmed in their conversation, may shape the next steps in regional diplomacy.
As the conflict in eastern DRC continues to destabilize the region, all eyes are now on whether Angola, under Lourenço’s leadership as a mediator, will push for a more inclusive and effective peace process—one that Kagame insists must be rooted in long-term solutions rather than short-term interventions.
