Southern and Eastern African political blocs have expanded their mediation team in a renewed push to end the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continue their offensive.
The decision came during a regional heads of state meeting on Monday, which Rwanda described as “fruitful.” The expanded mediation team includes five former African leaders—Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, South Africa’s Kgalema Motlanthe, Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde, and others—tasked with facilitating peace talks.
Diplomatic efforts had stalled last week after M23 rebels skipped scheduled negotiations with the Congolese government in Angola and instead seized the strategic town of Walikale. The conflict, fueled by historical tensions from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition over mineral resources, has left thousands dead and raised fears of a broader regional war.
Congo’s presidency announced that the new panel would replace Angola’s leader as mediator after years of failed attempts to ease tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali. Rwanda, facing sanctions over alleged support for M23, stated that regional leaders remain committed to a “political solution” addressing security concerns on all sides.
Despite a recent Qatar-brokered ceasefire agreement between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan leader Paul Kagame, violence persists. The EU’s latest sanctions on rebel and Rwandan officials further complicated talks, prompting M23 to withdraw from negotiations last week.
As the crisis deepens, regional mediators face mounting pressure to halt one of eastern Congo’s deadliest conflicts in decades.
