Kinshasa Press Review: Focus on Tshisekedi-Lourenço Talks on Eastern DRC

Kinshasa, January 11, 2026 - Kinshasa, Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - The majority of newspapers published in Kinshasa this Tuesday focused on the private meeting held in Luanda between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and his Angolan counterpart João Lourenço, who also serves as Chairperson of the African Union.

According to press reports, the talks took place against a backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Before departing for Luanda, President Félix Tshisekedi indicated that the primary objective of his visit was to advance peace efforts in eastern DRC. During the meeting, João Lourenço reportedly presented several proposals that the Congolese head of state described as constructive and capable of contributing significantly to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Despite these discussions, President Tshisekedi emphasized that the situation on the ground remains “a war imposed upon us.”

The meeting occurred one day after the ratification of the Washington Accords between Kinshasa and Kigali, carried out in the presence of US President Donald Trump, and at a time when fighting continues to intensify in the eastern part of the country.

During his brief stay in Luanda, President Tshisekedi reiterated his determination to accelerate the search for peace through African-led diplomacy. As Chairperson of the African Union, João Lourenço is viewed as a central figure in efforts to revitalize continental mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution. The discussions in Luanda are presented as complementary to existing diplomatic initiatives, notably those undertaken in Washington and Doha.

For several months, the Congolese authorities have sought to internationalize the crisis in eastern DRC and rally greater political support, denouncing what they describe as a persistent violation of national sovereignty. The repeated reference to an “imposed war” reflects a desire to shift the narrative from chronic internal insecurity to broader regional responsibility.

During the meeting, President Félix Tshisekedi also expressed his gratitude to João Lourenço for his commitment to peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as diplomatic efforts continue amid ongoing instability in the east.