In a high-stakes diplomatic engagement, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Togo’s Council of Ministers President and African Union mediator for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict, met with Floribert Anzuluni, DRC’s Minister of Regional Integration, on July 14, 2026, in Pya, Kozah Prefecture.
This meeting, held at the President’s residence, centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Kinshasa and Lomé, while addressing the escalating security challenges in eastern DRC and advancing mediation efforts to restore lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.
Strategic discussions on regional stability
The talks between Gnassingbé and Anzuluni underscored the critical role of regional and international collaboration in resolving one of Africa’s most protracted conflicts. According to Togolese officials, the Congolese envoy expressed gratitude for Gnassingbé’s personal commitment to finding a durable solution to the turmoil plaguing the Great Lakes region.
« The Congolese government deeply appreciates President Gnassingbé’s relentless efforts as the African Union’s designated mediator for the eastern DRC crisis. His leadership is instrumental in fostering dialogue and peacebuilding in a region scarred by decades of conflict, » a statement from the Togolese Council of Ministers noted.
Context of escalating tensions
The diplomatic exchange follows a series of intensified clashes in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and multiple international reports, continues to expand its territorial control. The rebellion now occupies vast swathes of North Kivu and South Kivu, consolidating its position despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha.
Anzuluni’s mission to Lomé was preceded by a diplomatic stop in Uganda, where he delivered a message from President Félix Tshisekedi to Yoweri Museveni. These consultations reflect the growing urgency among regional leaders to address the crisis before it further destabilizes the continent.
Broader diplomatic momentum
The Lomé meeting is part of a broader wave of diplomatic activity aimed at resolving the DRC conflict. Recent weeks have seen high-level engagements between Kinshasa and Angola, as well as consultations led by Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, the current African Union chair, with religious leaders and opposition figures in the DRC.
Additional diplomatic efforts include recent visits by Tshisekedi to Brazzaville and Ndayishimiye’s state visit to Kinshasa. These moves are designed to unify regional support for peace and security in the Great Lakes region.
Togo’s pivotal role in mediation
Lomé has become a key hub for peace efforts, hosting a technical evaluation session on June 7–8, 2026, to assess progress in the peace process. Gnassingbé, as the AU mediator, emphasized the need for enhanced coordination among various mediation mechanisms to ensure a coherent and effective approach to the crisis.
« Sustainable peace in eastern DRC requires collective action from regional, continental, and international actors. Only through unity and sustained mobilization can we turn the tide and achieve lasting stability, » Gnassingbé stated during the session.
The June meeting followed a high-level summit in January 2026, also held in Lomé, which brought together former heads of state, facilitators, and representatives from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The goal was to foster trust, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with peace agreements.
As the conflict in eastern DRC shows no signs of abating, the international community continues to look to mediators like Gnassingbé to bridge divides and pave the way for a political solution. The stakes remain high, with millions of lives hanging in the balance across the war-torn region.