Angola Rejects Tshisekedi’s Military Request as AFC/M23 Advances in Eastern DRC

Kinshasa/Luanda, January 13, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has been placed on high alert following the entry of AFC/M23 fighters into the city of Uvira on December 10, 2025, amid fears that Kalemie in Tanganyika Province could also fall. In response to the situation, Kinshasa sought military assistance from several countries to counter the rebel advance. In mid-December, the DRC formally requested support from Angola, citing Luanda’s role as a guarantor of President Félix Tshisekedi’s political stability. However, Angolan authorities rejected the request to deploy troops, recalling that Angola had not intervened militarily even when regional forces were previously deployed to North Kivu Province. On December 14, 2025, President Tshisekedi traveled to Luanda, where Angolan President and African Union Chairperson João Lourenço expressed support for a political solution rather than a military one. Tshisekedi returned to Luanda on January 5, 2026, where both leaders agreed on the need for inclusive dialogue involving Congolese stakeholders from different sectors, including opposition figures and armed groups such as the AFC/M23. The Congolese president proposed that the talks be held in Kinshasa. At Tshisekedi’s request, President Lourenço has continued consultations with potential participants. Former President Joseph Kabila and his close associates, including Moïse Nyarugabo and Raymond Tshibanda, were recently reported to be in Luanda as part of these discussions. Despite clear signs that a new peace process is underway, both the Congolese and Angolan governments have avoided formally labeling the initiative as “new peace talks.” AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa has asked President Lourenço to clarify how the proposed process differs from the previous Doha talks, particularly after the group was invited to Luanda to prepare for discussions scheduled in Kinshasa. On January 8, 2026, President Tshisekedi returned once again to Luanda to continue talks with Lourenço after agreeing on a list of potential participants for the upcoming dialogue.

Faits rapportés

Kinshasa/Luanda, January 13, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has been placed on high alert following the entry of AFC/M23 fighters into the city of Uvira on December 10, 2025, amid fears that Kalemie in Tanganyika Province could also fall. In response to the situation, Kinshasa sought military assistance from several countries to counter the rebel advance. In mid-December, the DRC formally requested support from Angola, citing Luanda’s role as a guarantor of President Félix Tshisekedi’s political stability. However, Angolan authorities rejected the request to deploy troops, recalling that Angola had not intervened militarily even when regional forces were previously deployed to North Kivu Province. On December 14, 2025, President Tshisekedi traveled to Luanda, where Angolan President and African Union Chairperson João Lourenço expressed support for a political solution rather than a military one. Tshisekedi returned to Luanda on January 5, 2026, where both leaders agreed on the need for inclusive dialogue involving Congolese stakeholders from different sectors, including opposition figures and armed groups such as the AFC/M23. The Congolese president proposed that the talks be held in Kinshasa. At Tshisekedi’s request, President Lourenço has continued consultations with potential participants. Former President Joseph Kabila and his close associates, including Moïse Nyarugabo and Raymond Tshibanda, were recently reported to be in Luanda as part of these discussions. Despite clear signs that a new peace process is underway, both the Congolese and Angolan governments have avoided formally labeling the initiative as “new peace talks.” AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa has asked President Lourenço to clarify how the proposed process differs from the previous Doha talks, particularly after the group was invited to Luanda to prepare for discussions scheduled in Kinshasa. On January 8, 2026, President Tshisekedi returned once again to Luanda to continue talks with Lourenço after agreeing on a list of potential participants for the upcoming dialogue.