Luanda Consults Congolese Religious Leaders

The meeting brought together bishops from the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and pastors from the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC). It followed two visits within a week by President Félix Tshisekedi to Luanda for consultations with his Angolan counterpart. The diplomatic momentum around the eastern DRC crisis has intensified in recent weeks. A telephone exchange reportedly took place between Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Angolan Foreign Minister Tete António, focusing on a peaceful solution between the DRC and Rwanda. Doha reiterated its commitment to dialogue. These talks come as negotiations on the six protocols meant to complement the first two of the framework agreement between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 remain stalled, according to informed sources. Since the start of 2026, Félix Tshisekedi has traveled to Luanda twice in less than a month - an unusual pace in bilateral relations. According to sources within the Congolese presidency, João Lourenço has submitted several proposals, but no immediate decision or new peace process has been officially announced. After announcing its withdrawal from mediation in the Congolese crisis in March 2025, Angola has made a gradual and discreet return, multiplying consultations with key stakeholders. In this context, former President Joseph Kabila was received in Luanda at the end of December, followed by a visit from a delegation from his camp. Angolan diplomacy has also engaged with the AFC/M23 political-military movement. Its coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, reportedly sent a letter to President João Lourenço seeking clarification on the nature of Angola’s initiative, particularly regarding a possible new process. The diplomatic push has expanded to Togo. President Félix Tshisekedi traveled to Lomé for a working session on peace and stabilization in eastern DRC, at the invitation of Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo and AU-appointed mediator. The visit was described as brief. Togo plans to host a high-level meeting on January 17 aimed at strengthening coordination of peace initiatives in the DRC and the Great Lakes region. This builds on recent international efforts, including the Paris Peace Conference of October 30, 2025, which mobilized more than €1.5 billion for vulnerable populations and supported negotiations led by the United States, Qatar, and the African Union. Faure Gnassingbé succeeded João Lourenço as the AU-designated mediator for the eastern DRC conflict, following decisions of the joint virtual summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held on March 24, 2025.