In a decisive move to break the diplomatic impasse in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), African mediators have finalized a robust action plan for the second half of 2026. The announcement follows a high-level meeting in Lomé, Togo, convened by African Union mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, aimed at strengthening regional peace efforts amid persistent insecurity.
Collaborative framework gains momentum
The two-day gathering, held on June 7-8, 2026, brought together key stakeholders including African Union facilitators, United Nations representatives, the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The meeting assessed progress since the January 2026 Lomé framework was established and outlined strategic priorities for the coming months.
Unified approach to peacebuilding
Among the critical decisions adopted were enhanced coordination between the AU mediation office, the Panel of Facilitators, and the Independent Joint Secretariat. Participants emphasized the need to consolidate African contributions to parallel mediation processes, including those led by the United States (Washington) and Qatar (Doha), to bolster legitimacy and implementation.
Key measures include:
- Adjusting facilitators’ work plans for the second half of 2026
- Developing a 15-day operational action plan to implement agreed decisions
- Strengthening collaboration among all states and organizations involved in mediation
Regional commitment to lasting peace
The Togolese presidency stated, “With renewed collective will and shared responsibility, participants committed to diligently implementing these decisions to achieve sustainable peace in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.”
Meeting with African Union mediator Faure Gnassingbé in Lomé
This initiative follows the January 2026 Lomé summit, where Gnassingbé was appointed AU mediator for the DRC crisis. The framework includes five former African heads of state as co-facilitators, each overseeing specific thematic areas from security to humanitarian concerns.
Diplomatic context
The eastern DRC remains plagued by conflict between government forces and the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. The African mediation’s structured approach aims to bridge gaps between international processes and regional priorities.
