Luanda, Angola — The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, James Swan, visited Luanda as part of a series of regional engagements with key African partners involved in ongoing peace efforts for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
During the visit, Mr. Swan met with Angolan President João Lourenço and Angolan authorities. Discussions focused on the situation in eastern DRC, ongoing peace processes and the need to strengthen coordination among regional and international diplomatic initiatives.
“I would like to thank the Angolan authorities and President Lourenço for their warm welcome, and for the rich and insightful discussions we had,” James Swan said following the meetings.
The visit follows recent regional engagements by the Head of MONUSCO, including, together with the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Huang Xia, meetings with the African Union Mediator, President Faure Gnassingbé, and co-facilitators in Lomé, as well as with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa.
In Luanda, discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring strong coordination among the Washington, Doha and African Union-led peace processes in support of lasting peace and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
James Swan reaffirmed MONUSCO’s commitment to supporting the implementation, monitoring and verification of ceasefire arrangements in eastern DRC, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2808 (2025). He also highlighted the important work of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism-Plus, which is responsible for ceasefire monitoring and verification, as well as MONUSCO’s contributions in support of its work.
The Head of MONUSCO commended Angola’s significant and longstanding efforts in support of peace, security and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider region.
He also underscored Angola’s contribution to diplomatic initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue and advancing mediation efforts in southern Africa and across the continent.
Through this visit, MONUSCO reaffirms its readiness to work in close coordination with regional and international partners to support de-escalation, the protection of civilians and the search for a durable political solution to the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ndeye Khady Lo
