AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf welcomes Angola's efforts to pacify eastern DR Congo

AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf welcomes Angola's efforts to pacify eastern DR Congo

Mahmoud said the Luanda process has contributed significantly to creating conditions for dialogue and regional and international engagement.

African Union Commission's Chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf has welcomed efforts by Angolan President Joao Lourenco in fast-tracking peace engagements over the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through the Luanda process.

In a statement released Friday evening and hours after Angola expressed surprise over the meeting between Presidents Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi in Qatar, Mahmoud said the Luanda process has contributed significantly to creating conditions for dialogue and regional and international engagement, offering a valuable platform for fostering mutual understanding in the pursuit of peace, security and stability in eastern DRC.

"The Chairperson commends President Lourenco for his sustained engagement and commitment to advancing dialogue, de-escalation and confidence building between the parties. His leadership as a Champion for the African Union for Peace and Reconciliation reflects exemplary statesmanship and the union's commitment to African-led solutions to African problems," the chairman said in the statement.

He further encouraged continued coordination between the African Union, regional economic communities and international partners to consolidate progress and support ongoing efforts toward a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Noting the statesmanship portrayed by Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi in their meeting in Qatar where they agreed to a ceasefire, the Chairman said the union remains ready to accompany and facilitate inclusive coordinated engagements.

"In this regard, all initiatives should be designed to compliment and reinforce existing African-led mechanisms, ensuring coherence, ownership and effectiveness in addressing the prevailing challenges," he added.

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