Luanda - The Association of Women Victims of Violence in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday requested major intervention from the Angolan president, João Lourenço, in the peace process of that country, which has led it to a “critical situation”.
The delegation of Congolese women of the organization led by Juliene Essange was received in Luanda by the Angolan Head of State, who acts as facilitator in the peace process of the DRC.
DRC has been experiencing an internal conflict led by armed M-23 rebels, who allegedly receive military support from the Rwandan Armed Forces.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, the head of the Congolese delegation called the situation in the east of the DRC “catastrophic”, and asked for the Angolan statesman's continued support, within the framework of the Luanda process, which aims to find consensus between the parties for peace in that country.
“The security situation in the east of the DRC is critical. We have more than 10,000 internally displaced people because of this conflict, where women and children are being raped and starving,” Essange said.
Essange said that “incredible” things are happening in the DRC in terms of violence and the humanitarian crisis, and accused Rwanda of supporting the M-23 rebels.
“The situation is very difficult in the DRC, which is why we have come to appeal to the Angolan President, as the facilitator of peace, to continue with the Luanda process,” she said. AFL/ART
