James Tasamba
02 June 2022•Update: 02 June 2022
KIGALI, Rwanda
The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, agreed to release two Rwandan soldiers who were arrested last month, according to media reports.
The move is part of efforts to ease tensions between the two countries.
Angolan President Joao Lourenço made the announcement after meeting with the visiting Tshisekedi.
“At the request of his Angolan counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi agreed to release two Rwandan soldiers recently captured on the territory of the DR Congo. This move is aimed to contribute to the easing of tensions in the relationship between the two countries,” the Journal de Angola reported, citing a statement from the presidency.
Lourenço reportedly held a videoconference conversation with his Rwanda counterpart, Paul Kagame, where they discussed ways to resolve the conflict through dialogue.
Following the talks, Kagame and Tshisekedi agreed to a face-to-face summit to be convened by Lourenço in the Angolan capital of Luanda, on a date to be announced to discuss aspects that can help de-escalate current tensions, the report said.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, congratulated Lourenço for inviting Kagame and Tshisekedi to talks.
“I strongly encourage the two brotherly countries to resolve any differences through dialogue and friendly consultation,” he wrote on Twitter.
Tensions between the two neighboring countries intensified last month after the Democratic Rep. of Congo accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in renewed fighting in North Kivu province.
Rwanda denied the charge and said it has no interest in destabilizing the Democratic Rep. of Congo and instead accused Congolese forces (FARDC) of allying with rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Rwanda said the soldiers, a corporal and a private, were kidnapped while on border patrol but the Congolese military claimed they were arrested in a foiled attack on its military detachment in the east.
Martha Pobee, assistant head for the UN’s political affairs and peace operations, covering Africa, told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the recent resurgence of the M23 in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo constitutes a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the region.
She urged urgent action at curbing the violence which has displaced 75,000 residents in the past week, according to the UN.
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have said they are open to dialogue.
