On Sunday, December 14, 2025, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, paid a working visit to Luanda, Angola. The visit came at a time when the country he leads is facing intense security and diplomatic pressure in eastern Congo.
Although the trip was officially presented as a routine working visit, regional analysts say it carried exceptional significance, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges surrounding the Luanda talks, the continuing war in North and South Kivu, and the implications of the recent peace agreement signed in Washington, DC.
Sources from various circles indicate that one of the main reasons for Tshisekedi’s trip to Luanda was to revive and reinvigorate the Luanda talks, a diplomatic initiative aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the insecurity in eastern Congo.
These talks, led by Angolan President João Lourenço as the African Union’s appointed mediator, had shown signs of weakness as fighting intensified between the DRC government and the AFC/M23 coalition, leading many to question whether the diplomatic path still held value for Kinshasa.
📰 Also Read This:
The newspaper Le Potentiel reported that Tshisekedi sought a meeting with Lourenço to assess how the mediation process could be given new momentum, following claims that the Luanda talks were losing credibility and influence.
Angola is one of the countries that has played a significant role in Congolese affairs at various moments in history. Its role in restoring peace in the region is considered crucial, particularly given its political and security standing in Central Africa.
During the discussions between Tshisekedi and João Lourenço, strong emphasis was placed on strengthening relations between Kinshasa and Luanda, including cooperation in security, economic matters, and shared strategic interests.
Reports indicate that Angola continues to support resolving the crisis in eastern Congo through dialogue and regional cooperation, rather than through a military approach that could further undermine trust and stability.
Another factor that added weight to this visit is that it came just days after the peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda was finalized during a ceremony held in Washington, DC on December 4, 2025.
The agreement, signed amid high expectations, aimed to ease long-standing tensions between the two countries and lay the groundwork for addressing the security crisis in eastern Congo.
President João Lourenço was among the heads of state who attended the Washington ceremony, highlighting Angola’s continued visible role in diplomatic efforts aimed at peace in the region.
Analysts suggest that Tshisekedi may have traveled to Luanda to clearly explain Kinshasa’s position on the agreement and to discuss how it could be aligned with the Luanda process, ensuring that diplomatic initiatives complement rather than compete with one another.
Domestically, Tshisekedi is facing mounting pressure on political, security, and public opinion fronts.
The ongoing conflict in the east, the capture of cities and other areas, along with displacement and killings, have led many to question the government’s ability to restore peace.
His visit to Luanda can therefore be seen as an attempt to demonstrate to the international community that Congo remains committed to pursuing peace through diplomatic means, even as the situation on the ground remains challenging.
Although Angola is viewed as a mediator, some observers question whether it also has its own interests in regional stability, particularly concerning its borders and economic ties with Congo.
Discussions between Tshisekedi and Lourenço may also have focused on how Angola can continue to play a neutral role that helps rebuild trust among all parties involved in the eastern Congo conflict.
The key question many are asking is whether this visit will lead to tangible changes in eastern Congo, or whether it will remain another diplomatic trip without concrete impact on the ground.
While the answers remain uncertain, it is clear that Tshisekedi is eager to show that he has not abandoned dialogue and that he is ready to work with regional mediators, including João Lourenço.
As fighting continues, the Washington agreement begins to be implemented, and efforts are made to revive the Luanda talks, regional attention remains focused on Luanda and Kinshasa, awaiting whether diplomacy will ultimately prevail over the gun, or whether Congo will remain trapped in the shadow of an endless war.
