The United Nations has publicly praised Togo’s dedication to fostering peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while reaffirming its backing for the mediation efforts led by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé in eastern DRC.

James Swan, the UN Special Representative for DRC and head of MONUSCO, alongside Huang Xia, the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, met with Togo’s President in Lomé on June 8, 2026. The discussions centered on the progress of ongoing diplomatic initiatives and the UN’s role in supporting mediation efforts under the African Union’s (AU) auspices to achieve a lasting resolution to the crisis.

The Togolese presidency highlighted that the UN representatives commended Togo’s commitment to advancing peace, stability, and peaceful conflict resolution across Africa. They expressed readiness to support President Gnassingbé’s mediation role in securing an equitable and sustainable solution to the crisis gripping eastern DRC.

Appointed as the AU mediator for the eastern DRC crisis in early 2026, following the tenure of Angola’s President João Lourenço, Faure Gnassingbé has intensified consultations with UN officials. His goal is to foster a coordinated approach toward peace in the Great Lakes region, where security and humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate despite multiple diplomatic efforts.

Challenges in achieving lasting peace

The meeting in Lomé took place against a backdrop of escalating tensions, with key obstacles including:

• Erosion of trust among conflicting parties, undermining the implementation of peace agreements.
• Political reluctance from certain regional actors, hindering the effective execution of commitments made in various peace frameworks, such as the Washington Agreement.
• Persistent security threats, including the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting.

While international calls for adherence to peace agreements grow louder, tangible progress remains elusive. The Doha process, mediated by Qatar, has also struggled to bridge the gap between Kinshasa and the M23 rebels, with negotiations failing to yield significant breakthroughs. The deteriorating security situation in the Middle East has further diverted attention from this critical dossier.

As the AU’s mediation efforts gain momentum in Lomé, the UN’s renewed support signals a potential shift toward a more unified approach. However, the path to sustainable peace in eastern DRC hinges on the willingness of all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue and compromise over military confrontation.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst