The African Union (AU) has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following high-level talks with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi in Luanda, Angola, on Monday.

Angola’s President and AU Chairperson, Joao Lourenco, alongside representatives from the AU, urged all parties to the long-running conflict in eastern DRC to agree on a ceasefire and accelerate the implementation of Ceasefire Verification Mechanisms outlined in Doha on October 14, 2025.

The resource-rich eastern region, bordering Rwanda and Burundi, has experienced decades of conflict, primarily driven by the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group. Violence surged last year after M23 captured key cities, defying diplomatic interventions including a US-brokered peace agreement in December 2025 and ongoing mediation by Qatar.

In a joint statement, Tshisekedi, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who serve as AU mediator and facilitators, reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process. Angola will lead consultations with all interested Congolese parties to ensure compliance with the agreements.

The peace accords, supported by both the United States and Qatar, include monitoring mechanisms to ensure a permanent ceasefire, with the United Nations (MONUSCO) providing on-ground support. However, tensions remain high: last week, the M23 carried out a drone attack on Kisangani airport, underscoring the fragility of the situation.

The AU and international partners are now pressing for rapid implementation of the agreements, emphasizing dialogue and enforcement to prevent further escalation of violence in this volatile region.