Togolese Prime Minister and African Union mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé engaged in critical discussions with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) envoy Floribert Anzuluni in Lomé on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The high-level meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Togo and the DRC while addressing escalating security challenges in eastern DRC and advancing peace mediation efforts in the Great Lakes region.

According to official statements from the Togolese Council of Ministers, the talks centered on evaluating ongoing conflict resolution initiatives and exploring pathways to sustainable peace in a region plagued by decades of armed violence. Faure Gnassingbé, designated by the African Union as mediator for the DRC crisis, emphasized the need for unified regional strategies to break the cycle of instability.

“The Congolese government delegation expressed deep appreciation for Togo’s leadership in mediating regional conflicts,” stated a spokesperson from the Togolese presidency. “President Gnassingbé’s commitment to finding lasting solutions through dialogue has been instrumental in keeping diplomatic channels open across the Great Lakes region.”

The DRC envoy’s visit to Lomé followed a diplomatic mission to Uganda, where he delivered a presidential message from Félix Tshisekedi to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. These discussions occur against a backdrop of intensified hostilities in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group—allegedly supported by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and international observers—continues its military campaign against government forces. The rebels currently control significant portions of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, while diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha have yet to yield tangible breakthroughs.

The timing of these diplomatic exchanges coincides with heightened political debates in Kinshasa regarding potential constitutional revisions ahead of President Tshisekedi’s term-end in two years. Regional consultations have intensified, with regular exchanges between Kinshasa and Luanda on bilateral issues and security concerns in the Great Lakes region. These developments follow recent consultations by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, current African Union chair, with religious leaders and opposition figures in the DRC.

Another significant diplomatic development involved President Tshisekedi’s recent visit to Brazzaville for talks with Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso, following a state visit by Ndayishimiye to Kinshasa. Days later, Sassou Nguesso continued consultations by meeting with Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo to discuss political and institutional developments in the DRC.

The Lomé meeting occurred weeks after a technical session of the semi-annual peace process evaluation held in the Togolese capital from June 7–8, 2026. During this gathering, Gnassingbé stressed the importance of enhancing coordination among various mediation mechanisms to bolster peace efforts in eastern DRC. He highlighted the necessity of sustained collective action to achieve stability and security in the region, warning that fragmented approaches would undermine progress.

These evaluations followed a high-level meeting in January 2026, also in Lomé, which brought together former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), and international partners. The initiative aimed to rebuild trust between parties, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments made by involved stakeholders.

For Gnassingbé, regional and international collaboration remains the cornerstone for consolidating peace achievements and fostering lasting stability in the Great Lakes region. The Lomé meetings represent a continuation of diplomatic efforts initiated in recent months to address the persistent security crisis in eastern DRC.