Angola has announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo will release two detained Rwandan soldiers, a move aimed at easing growing tensions between the two countries.
According to Angola, the decision was made following mediation efforts by Angolan President João Lourenço, who chairs the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
On Tuesday, DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi travelled to Angola for talks on the DRC-Rwanda tension, following a suggestion by African Union Chairman Macky Sall that Angolan President João Lourenço mediate in the Congo-Rwanda issue.
Angola's President Lourenço also spoke with Rwanda's Paul Kagame on the matter, and the two leaders have agreed to meet in Angola at a later date to resolve the tension.
Both countries had earlier said they would not rule out peaceful resolution of the growing tension, with Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya stating, “Whatever the nature of the crisis is today, we cannot close the doors to the possibility of talks. Even if there is war today, we will end up in dialogue.”
Rwanda's Foreign Minister, Vincent Biruta, also expressed a commitment to peace, stating, “Rwanda is not interested in a crisis. We are committed to peace, stability and economic development of our region and wish to continue working with the DRC bilaterally, through the established regional initiatives.”