Angola’s President João Lourenço and representatives of the African Union have called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Congo.
Tag Archives: João Lourenço
Gabon: former president Ali Bongo and family go into exile in Angola
Their departure marks the end of 19 months spent in captivity in Libreville.
Following the military coup led by Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in August 2023, Gabon’s ousted president Ali Bongo and his family had spent their time either locked up at home or in prison.
But five days after his wife Sylvia and son Noureddin were released from prison and transferred to house arrest awaiting their trial for embezzlement and money-laundering, Bongo and his family have arrived in Angola.
The Bongo dynasty had ruled Gabon for over 50 years before being ousted from power in a military coup by General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in 2023.
Their departure into exile is the result of an agreement made between Angolan president João Lourenço and Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s new president, according to a statement by the Angolan presidency shared on Facebook.
Lourenço came to Libreville on Monday in order to improve relations with Oligui Nguema, who was declared the winner of a presidential election last month. Ties between the two countries had somewhat cooled down during the transition period following the coup.
The African Union, currently headed by Angolan president João Lourenço, had repeatedly asked Gabon’s new authorities to release Bongo and his family.
Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo’s lawyers had previously voiced concerns for their health condition during their detention in prison.
Egypt and Angola strengthen bilateral ties during Cairo meeting
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed his Angolan counterpart João Lourenço to Cairo on Tuesday.
El-Sisi emphasised the importance of advancing political, economic, and investment ties between the two countries, building on their historical relationship.
“A number of memoranda of understanding have been signed in the fields of communications, information technology, housing, and infrastructure, which will contribute to strengthening cooperation in these areas,” he said
Trade between the two countries reached $34,2 million in 2024, representing an increase of 60 per cent.
The two leaders also discussed key African and international issues including water scarcity, climate change, and the wars in Sudan and Gaza.
El-Sisi praised Lourenço’s mediation efforts in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Both men stressed the need for a unified African positions on global challenges and stronger representation of the continent in international bodies.
Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé leads African Union’s mediation efforts in DRC
Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé has been appointed as the African Union’s new mediator in the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group.
This role marks a significant shift in the AU’s efforts to resolve the crisis, as Gnassingbé replaces Angolan President João Lourenço, who stepped down to focus on Angola’s presidency of the AU.
The conflict in eastern DRC has intensified since January 2025, when the M23 launched a rapid offensive, capturing key cities like Goma and Bukavu in North Kivu province.
Despite previous mediation efforts by Angola, progress has been limited. Talks scheduled in Luanda failed after the M23 withdrew following EU sanctions on some of its leaders.
As the new mediator, Gnassingbé will work towards achieving “sustainable peace, reconciliation, and stability” in the Great Lakes region.
– Advertisement –
He faces the challenge of coordinating with other mediation efforts, notably those led by Qatar, which recently facilitated direct talks between the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Doha.
Gnassingbé will also collaborate with a panel of five former African presidents appointed as facilitators by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC).
This team includes former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa, Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, and Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia.
The appointment of Gnassingbé signals a renewed push by the AU to resolve the conflict. However, the parallel mediation efforts by Qatar and the complex regional dynamics pose significant challenges. Gnassingbé’s diplomatic skills and Togo’s experience in regional mediation will be crucial in navigating these complexities and achieving lasting peace in the region.
Source: Africafeeds.com
Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé leads African Union’s mediation efforts in DRC
Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé has been appointed as the African Union’s new mediator in the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group.
This role marks a significant shift in the AU’s efforts to resolve the crisis, as Gnassingbé replaces Angolan President João Lourenço, who stepped down to focus on Angola’s presidency of the AU.
The conflict in eastern DRC has intensified since January 2025, when the M23 launched a rapid offensive, capturing key cities like Goma and Bukavu in North Kivu province.
Despite previous mediation efforts by Angola, progress has been limited. Talks scheduled in Luanda failed after the M23 withdrew following EU sanctions on some of its leaders.
As the new mediator, Gnassingbé will work towards achieving “sustainable peace, reconciliation, and stability” in the Great Lakes region.
– Advertisement –
He faces the challenge of coordinating with other mediation efforts, notably those led by Qatar, which recently facilitated direct talks between the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Doha.
Gnassingbé will also collaborate with a panel of five former African presidents appointed as facilitators by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC).
This team includes former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa, Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, and Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia.
The appointment of Gnassingbé signals a renewed push by the AU to resolve the conflict. However, the parallel mediation efforts by Qatar and the complex regional dynamics pose significant challenges. Gnassingbé’s diplomatic skills and Togo’s experience in regional mediation will be crucial in navigating these complexities and achieving lasting peace in the region.
Source: Africafeeds.com
Angola’s governing party extends long rule with election victory
– –
Angola’s ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) is set to extend his long stay in power with this month’s election victory.
The party was declared winner of last week’s national election by the electoral commission as it is set to stay in power beyond the nearly five decades since independence.
With this latest win incumbent President Joao Lourenco thus secures a second term amid concerns about possible fraud.
The commission gave the MPLA a 51.17% majority after all votes were counted. Its longtime opponent, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, or UNITA, got 43.95%, its best result ever.
UNITA leader Adalberto Costa Junior has rejected the results as he cites discrepancies between the commission’s count and the main opposition coalition’s own tally.
– –
If he insist on disputing the result, he must lodge a complaint with the electoral commission. If that is rejected, he can challenge the result in the Constitutional Court, which must rule within 72 hours.
He has though urged his supporters to remain calm.
At a news conference though, president Lourenco said “The international community perceives this election as being free, fair and transparent.”
He promised more jobs for the youth, in a country where half of under-25s are jobless and few feel the benefit of its vast oil wealth.
– –
According to very few local observers the elections were free with International observers from the Southern African Development Community also noting that the vote was calm and peaceful.
Fewer than half of Angola’s registered voters turned out for last Wednesday’s election.
Source: Africafeeds.com