Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi traveled to Luanda on February 9 to meet with Angolan President João Lourenço and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé. This meeting comes as part of Tshisekedi's diplomatic tour through seven countries this year, focusing primarily on addressing the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The discussions aimed to strategize on imposing new sanctions against members of the M23 rebel group and certain Rwandan officials, in an effort to diplomatically isolate Kigali from regional efforts to stabilize the area.

During the discussions, Tshisekedi emphasized the need for concerted regional efforts to confront the violence that continues to plague eastern DRC, where armed groups have been active for years, exacerbating tensions and humanitarian crises in the region. By gathering support from the African Union, whose presidency is currently held by João Lourenço, Tshisekedi seeks to amplify pressure on Rwanda and its alleged involvement in the ongoing conflicts that destabilize the DRC.

The implications of these negotiations are significant as they may lead to a realignment of diplomatic relations within the Central African region, particularly regarding Rwanda’s standing. Should sanctions be enacted, it could restrict the country's engagement in regional politics and influence the dynamics of the conflict further. The meeting not only illustrates the complexities of DRC's political landscape but also the broader regional efforts to achieve peace and stability in a historically tumultuous area of Africa.