In a renewed push for peace, Southern and Eastern African nations have expanded a team of former heads of state to oversee efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.
Following a virtual summit on Monday, regional political blocs appointed five former leaders to facilitate peace talks: Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, South Africa’s Kgalema Motlanthe, Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, and Central African Republic’s Catherine Samba Panza.
The move comes amid escalating violence, with the M23 rebels reneging on a pledge to withdraw from Walikale, citing continued military offensives by the Congolese army.
Congo’s presidency announced that the newly formed panel would appoint a mediator to replace Angola’s President Joao Lourenco, who stepped down after years of unsuccessful diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Rwanda and Congo.
Rwanda, accused by Western nations of supporting M23 rebels, maintains its stance of acting in self-defense against hostile Congolese forces.
Meanwhile, recent talks between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in Qatar have yet to yield a ceasefire, with M23 insisting on direct negotiations with Kinshasa before any resolution.
Burundi, whose forces have supported Congo’s military against M23, has also raised concerns.
President Evariste Ndayishimiye warned that Rwanda was planning an attack on Burundi, though Rwandan officials dismissed the claims, citing ongoing security discussions between the two nations.
With tensions high and diplomatic efforts struggling, the expanded mediation team faces an uphill task in restoring stability to the conflict-ridden region.
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