African leaders, including the President of Angola, João Lourenço, are advocating for a ceasefire in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) amidst persistent fighting. This call was made after a meeting with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in Luanda, where they issued a joint statement urging combatants to announce a ceasefire, with a timeline for its implementation to be determined later. The leaders emphasized the importance of expediting the implementation of mechanisms for verifying the ceasefire that were agreed upon in Doha in October 2025.

The statement was co-signed by President Tshisekedi, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who are also involved in mediating and facilitating the peace process in the DRC. The African leaders indicated that Angola would take the lead in initiating consultations with all concerned Congolese parties. Meanwhile, Qatar is continuing its mediation efforts between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group, following a commitment to a ceasefire signed in July.

Furthermore, it is noted that a recent U.S.-mediated peace agreement was established between the DRC and Rwanda, suggesting regional interest in resolving the ongoing conflict. The situation remains critical as the ongoing violence impacts millions and raises concerns for regional stability, making the calls for a ceasefire essential in moving toward peace and resolution of conflicts in the DRC.