• Security
• Tuesday, June 9, 2026 – 06:02

African mediation gains momentum in Togo to stabilize eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

The African Union’s mediation efforts to restore peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have taken a decisive turn following a high-level technical meeting in Lomé. From June 7-8, 2026, regional stakeholders gathered to assess progress and refine strategies to end persistent violence in the mineral-rich region.

Under the leadership of Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who serves as the African Union’s mediator for the DRC crisis and Great Lakes region, the session brought together key facilitators, United Nations representatives, and regional economic communities. The meeting followed an earlier ministerial phase and focused on evaluating semiannual progress in the mediation architecture established in January 2026.

The Togolese mediation team, led by Gnassingbé, welcomed what they described as “significant advances” in structuring a more coherent and coordinated peace process. “Since January, we have made substantial progress in organizing and streamlining our mediation efforts,” Gnassingbé noted. “This meeting represents a major step forward in improving collective action and moving toward sustainable solutions to the crisis.”

The African Union’s mediation structure, unveiled in January, places Gnassingbé at the helm, supported by a Togolese team including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Republic’s presidency. The framework includes five former African heads of state serving as co-facilitators:

• Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria): Oversees military and security matters
• Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia): Leads humanitarian response
• Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya): Manages dialogue with local armed groups
• Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana): Focuses on regional economic cooperation
• Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic): Handles civil society, reconciliation, and gender issues

The joint secretariat includes representatives from 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, the European Union, and permanent UN Security Council members.

Gnassingbé emphasized that while challenges remain, “there are many goodwill actors ready to support our peace efforts.” He called for continued collaboration among regional, continental, and international partners to build on recent gains and achieve lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.

The June meeting follows a January 2026 high-level gathering in Lomé that aimed to restore trust among parties, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments made by all stakeholders involved in the peace process. That meeting brought together former heads of state facilitators, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives of the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, and international partners.