The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached a critical juncture.

It comes after the recent withdrawal of Angola as a key mediator and the emergence of a newly expanded international mediation team. Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who had been leading mediation efforts, recently announced his disengagement, citing his focus on his rotating presidency of the African Union (AU).

However, the Angolan presidency clarified that Lourenco has not abandoned the peace process entirely. Instead, he seeks to facilitate the selection of a new lead mediator, who will be supported by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC).

"Angola recognizes the need to free itself from the responsibility of mediating this conflict in order to more comprehensively focus on the general priorities established by the continental organization," the presidency said in a statement.

Angola's decision to halt mediation comes amidst mounting frustration over the stalled eastern Congo peace process.

A key setback was the cancellation of planned talks in Luanda on March 18, when the M23 rebel group pulled out in protest against EU sanctions.

Simultaneously, a surprise meeting brokered by Qatar between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda yielded a joint statement calling for an "immediate and........

© Deutsche Welle