U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urged DR Congo’s foreign minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, to ensure the government remains committed to the Luanda Process, a diplomatic effort aimed at easing tensions with Rwanda.
During their meeting on October 7, Thomas-Greenfield stressed the need for DR Congo to uphold its peace agreements, especially the technical de-escalation plan agreed with Rwanda, which is crucial for reducing military and political tensions and promoting regional stability.
“We encourage the DRC to stay committed to the Luanda Process and fully implement the de-escalation plan with Rwanda,” she said, emphasizing that continued dialogue between the two nations is vital for peace in the region.
The Luanda Process, supported internationally, offers a framework to address the long-standing conflicts between DR Congo and Rwanda. Rwanda’s foreign minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, echoed Thomas-Greenfield’s message on X (formerly Twitter), urging DR Congo to remain committed to the process.
Rwanda has accused DR Congo of backing the FDLR, a militia involved in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and responsible for attacks on Rwandan territory from DR Congo for over two decades. DR Congo, on the other hand, claims Rwanda supports the M23 rebels, a charge Rwanda denies.
For years, Rwanda has pressed DR Congo to sever ties with the FDLR, citing its continued threat to regional security. Recently, the conflict has escalated as M23 rebels have advanced toward Goma, North Kivu’s capital, capturing strategic areas, including the Rubaya mines. The M23’s resurgence is linked to DR Congo’s expulsion of the East African Community Regional Force in December 2023 and its failure to protect the Congolese Tutsi population. Rwanda hosts over 100,000 Congolese refugees, many of whom have lived in camps there for nearly 30 years.