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DRC, Rwanda agree to de-escalate tensions at a mini-summit in Luanda

Rwanda President Paul Kagame (L), Angola President Joao Lourenco (C) and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi (R) met for talks after an upsurge in violence in eastern DRC. (AFP)

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to a “de-escalation process” following weeks of rising tensions over rebel fighting in eastern DRC, the Congolese presidency said Wednesday after mediated talks.

But the talks mediator, Angolan President Joao Lourenco, went further announcing a “ceasefire” — although giving no details.

Violence has flared between is the Congolese army and the M23 rebels and is ongoing.

The DRC has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23, a charge the small central African country always denied.

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“I am pleased to announce that we have had positive results, in our view, in that we have agreed on a ceasefire, among other measures,” Lourenco said in remarks at the end of the mini-summit attended by Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi in the Angolan capital Luanda.

Tshisekedi’s office said a “roadmap” had been established towards normalising diplomatic ties, including through ending hostilities involving the M23 militia in eastern DRC.

The announcements came after day-long talks which the Rwandan state broadcaster reported had “concluded with an agreed upon roadmap to deescalate hostilities”.

But the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency stressed that it was agreed that the issue of M23 “be dealt with domestically within the framework of the Nairobi process.”

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A mostly Congolese Tutsi rebel group, the M23 — or “March 23 Movement” — first leapt to prominence when it briefly captured the eastern Congolese city of Goma in 2012 before it was driven out in a joint UN-Congolese offensive.

After lying mostly dormant for years, the M23 resumed fighting last November after accusing the Congolese government of failing to honour an agreement to incorporate its fighters into the army.

Fierce fighting has seen the rebels make significant advances in eastern Congo. Last month, M23 fighters captured the strategic town of Bunagana on the Congolese-Ugandan border, for example.

At the end Wednesday’s talks, the Congolese presidency said the three presidents had decided upon a “de-escalation process between the DRC and Rwanda”.

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This involves setting up a joint DRC-Rwanda committee, which is due to hold its first meeting in Luanda on July 12, as well as a roadmap for normalising relations.

The M23 must cease hostilities under the roadmap, according to the Congolese presidency, and the “exploitation of natural resources in the region must be done in strict respect of the sovereignty of states”.

Lourenco, who is also the chairman of the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), mediated the talks at the request of the Africa Union after the violence grew into a diplomatic faceoff between the two neighbours.

source: www.africanews.com

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Breaking News: Daddy Lumba is dead – Family announces

Ghanaian music legend Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, has died.

His family confirmed the sad news in a press release issued on Saturday, saying the 60-year-old passed away earlier in the day after a short illness.

“It is with profound sorrow and deep grief that the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon,” the statement read.

Daddy Lumba was one of Ghana’s most celebrated highlife musicians. With a career spanning more than three decades, his songs touched millions, telling stories of love, pain, joy, and hope.

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He was known for his powerful voice, emotional lyrics, and unique style that made him a household name across the country and beyond.

“His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience,” the family said.

The family has asked for privacy as they mourn their loss and promised to announce funeral arrangements in the coming days.

The statement was signed by Fati Ali Yallah, a lawyer from Baba Jamal & Associates, on behalf of the Fosu family.

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Fans, fellow musicians, and Ghanaians across the country have started pouring out tributes on social media, remembering Daddy Lumba’s unmatched contribution to Ghanaian music.

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Edem’s debut album gets praise from Sarkodie

Ghanaian rap star Sarkodie has celebrated fellow artiste Edem for his groundbreaking debut album “The Volta Regime”, calling it one of the greatest albums in Ghana’s music history.

In a heartfelt social media post, Sarkodie, whose real name is Michael Owusu Addo, reflected on the first time he heard Edem rap.

He said he was instantly impressed and knew Edem would have a serious impact on the music scene.

“I remember when I first encountered my brother Edem, I came back home to tell one of my hommies that this guy will have a serious impact on the music scene,”

“He was like naa because of the language barrier. I said I don’t hear language, I hear greatness. Big up my brother, you are still on my favourite emcee list.” Sarkodie wrote.

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Edem, born Denning Edem Hotor, released The Volta Regime in 2009. The album boldly embraced the Ewe language and featured collaborations with top Ghanaian artists including Tinny, Kwabena Kwabena, and Jeremie Van-Garshong.

Despite initial doubts about how well Ewe rap would perform commercially, the album proved to be a major success and introduced a new wave of local-language hip-hop.

Songs like Bra Fre Me, Nyorvuviade, and the powerful Intro helped establish Edem’s lyrical prowess and cemented his place as a unique voice in the Ghanaian music industry.

At a time when the local scene was dominated by Twi and Ga-speaking rappers, Edem’s success broke barriers and made it clear that talent speaks louder than language.

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His impact opened doors for more linguistic diversity in hiplife and hip-hop music across the country.

Sarkodie’s tribute is especially meaningful because both artists emerged around the same period. Sarkodie’s own debut album Makye also dropped in 2009, and the two have long shown mutual respect for each other’s craft.

Today, over 15 years after its release, The Volta Regime continues to inspire fans and artists alike. It remains a symbol of bold originality and cultural pride.

Edem has since released several projects and remains an active voice in Ghanaian music and youth advocacy. His legacy is a reminder that true greatness is not limited by language.

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