Angolan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Attends UN Security Council Session on Great Lakes Region

On April 25, 2024, Esmeralda Mendonça, the Angolan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, attended a United Nations Security Council session in New York focused on the situation in the Great Lakes region of Africa.

As a member of the Security Council, Angola participated in the discussions and deliberations regarding the ongoing challenges and developments in the region, which has faced political instability, conflict, and humanitarian crises.

During the session, Mendonça provided insights and perspectives on the regional dynamics and Angola's role in addressing the issues in the Great Lakes area. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Angolan representative to engage with other member states and contribute to the Council's efforts to address the situation in the region, which includes countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi.

The session was chaired by Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. Fu called on the international community to help promote peace, security, and development in the region, emphasizing the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation of the situation. He encouraged regional countries to implement the Luanda and Nairobi processes to resolve differences through dialogue.

Why this matters: The Great Lakes region of Africa has been plagued by political instability, conflict, and humanitarian crises for decades. The UN Security Council's focus on the situation highlights the international community's commitment to promoting peace, security, and development in the region.

Fu also stressed the importance of promoting common development and building a solid foundation for peace, as poverty and underdevelopment are the root causes of the protracted unrest in the region. China pledged to continue supporting Africa's collective self-empowerment and integration process, and to work with the international community to build up Africa's capacity for independent development and promote regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

Key Takeaways

• Angolan FM Esmeralda Mendonça attended the UN Security Council session on the Great Lakes region.
• China's UN rep Fu Cong called for cessation of hostilities and dialogue in the region.
• The UN Security Council discussed political instability, conflict, and humanitarian crises in the region.
• China pledged to support Africa's collective self-empowerment and independent development.
• The session highlighted international commitment to promoting peace, security, and development in the region.