Angolan President’s Mediation Efforts Recognized by DRC Religious Leaders
Religious leaders in the DRC commend Angolan President João Lourenço for his initiative to mediate peace talks with M23 rebels, commencing March 18. Notably, they support his efforts as a positive step towards achieving regional stability and consensus for recovery.
Religious leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have commended Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço for his willingness to mediate peace talks amidst ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region. President Lourenço announced that negotiations between the DRC and the M23 rebels are set to begin on March 18 in Luanda, Angola’s capital.
A statement published on Facebook by the Presidents of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) expressed gratitude towards President Lourenço, recognizing him as both the leader of Angola and the current Chairman of the African Union. They remarked, “We, the Presidents of CENCO and ECC…congratulate and support President of the Republic of Angola and current Chairman of the African Union, for his efforts to bring peace to the DRC and the Great Lakes.”
In their March 12 communique, Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu and Rev. Andre Bokodua of the ECC praised the initiative for facilitating direct dialogue between DRC representatives and M23 leaders. They emphasized that this undertaking represents a critical step towards broader negotiations for achieving national consensus and peace, stating, “This rightly constitutes the prelude to a global and inclusive dialogue aimed at forging a national consensus on the accelerated process of pacification and full recovery of our country.”
The involvement of religious leaders underscores the significance of President Lourenço’s mediation efforts in facilitating peace talks between the DRC and the M23 rebels. The upcoming dialogues represent hope for resolving long-standing conflicts in the region. As expressed by DRC’s religious figures, this initiative may pave the way for comprehensive discussions aimed at restoring peace and unity within the country.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
