Significant progress has been noted in the structuring of African mediation efforts for peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This was a key takeaway from the technical session of the semiannual peace process review meeting held from 7 to 8 June 2026 in Lomé, convened by Togolese Council President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the African Union mediator for the eastern DRC and Great Lakes crisis.
Following the ministerial phase led earlier by Togo’s Minister of Cooperation and Togolese Abroad, Yackoley Johnson, President Gnassingbé chaired the Monday 8 June meeting in Lomé, dedicated to evaluating the activities carried out under the African mediation umbrella.
The diplomatic gathering brought together members of the College of Facilitators appointed by the African Union, along with representatives from the United Nations, the East African Community, the Economic Community of Central African States, the Southern African Development Community, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé welcomed the presence of facilitators, regional organisations and international partners at this evaluation meeting, noting that it reflected their continued commitment to peace, stability and development in the Great Lakes region.
The AU mediator particularly praised the advances made since the previous Lomé meeting focused on coherence and consolidation of various peace initiatives in the DRC and the Great Lakes. He stated that these achievements represent an important step toward better coordination of diplomatic and political efforts aimed at a lasting solution to the crisis affecting eastern DRC.
“We have reached a significant milestone since January by bringing more order to the African mediation architecture. I am convinced this meeting marks a substantial improvement in our collective action and in the search for sustainable solutions to this crisis,” the African Union mediator declared.
Gnassingbé stressed the need to continue efforts to further enhance coherence, complementarity and coordination among the various mediation mechanisms involved in the peace process in this part of the continent. He emphasised the importance of maintaining sustained collective mobilisation for stability, peace and security in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In his view, only concerted action by regional, continental and international actors will consolidate the gains achieved and foster lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.
“We will pursue this mission with humility, determination and perseverance. Despite the difficulties, we also see many willing partners ready to support us in this quest for peace,” he added.
This latest meeting follows the high-level conference on coherence and consolidation of the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo, held on 16 and 17 January in Lomé, Togo. Initiated by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the meeting aimed to strengthen trust among parties, advance dialogue and ensure compliance with commitments made by the various actors involved in the peace process.
That earlier initiative brought together a panel of facilitators including former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, along with several international partners. It was part of the diplomatic efforts undertaken in recent months to restore stability in eastern DRC.
Following those talks, the African Union unveiled the architecture of its mediation for the peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Under this framework, the mediation is placed under the authority of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, designated AU mediator. He is supported by a Togolese mediation support team comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the presidency.
Five co-facilitators, all former African heads of state, are assigned specific thematic areas. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo handles military and security issues. Former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde is responsible for humanitarian affairs. Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta oversees dialogue with local armed groups. Former Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi manages regional economic cooperation matters, while former Central African Republic transitional president Catherine Samba-Panza leads files related to civil society, reconciliation and gender issues.
The mechanism also includes an independent Joint Secretariat involving Togo, the African Union, the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. The African Union Commission coordinates with international partners, including the United Nations, Qatar, the European Union and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
