Democratic Republic of the Congo

Congolese and Rwandan ministers have met on Congolese soil, under Angolan mediation. It’s an important step forward in the Angola-mediated peace process designed to end the M23 conflict. Tensions are still high, however, and fighting is still happening on the ground. 

Rwanda-DRC talks have resumed, but whether they can shift the fundamental barriers to peace remains to be seen. … The Luanda Process was established as part of the 2022 Luanda Roadmap, aimed at defusing tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and bringing peace to east DRC. 

[…] The head of state addressed with his two counterparts the latest updates within the scope of ongoing efforts of the Luanda process, as well as the next steps to achieve a lasting peace solution to the crisis affecting the eastern region of the DRC.

The government of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to continue joint military operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, signalling the persistent problem of the armed group for both countries.

International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan said on Monday his office will renew an investigation into Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on alleged crimes committed in the North Kivu province since January 2022. 

Mobilization at the national, regional and international level are needed to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the face of continued violence in the east, trafficking of natural resources, and other challenges, the UN Security Council heard on Monday. 

The Rwandan army and the M23 armed group have indiscriminately shelled displacement camps and other densely populated areas near Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo throughout 2024, Human Rights Watch said today. The Congolese armed forces (Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo, FARDC) and allied militias have increased the risk faced by displaced people in the camps by deploying artillery nearby.

[…] UN Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who visited the Congo this weekend, said that December 31, 2024, which was supposed to be the date for the total withdrawal of Monusco troops, has never formally been agreed on by all the parties.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) was predictably on the agenda of the recent SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government convened in Zimbabwe. … The communiqué issued by the recent SADC Summit highlighted several important issues, including the need for diplomatic solutions to the conflicts in eastern DRC and financial and logistical support for SAMIDRC.

Prosecutors seek the death penalty for 50 of the 51 men on trial over May's coup attempt in DR Congo. About half a dozen of the defendants are foreign nationals, including three Americans.