Faure Gnassingbé leads high-level push for peace in eastern DRC

In Lomé, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, acting as the African Union (AU) Mediator for the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region, chaired a significant high-level summit on Monday. The session focused on the semi-annual assessment of mediation efforts led by African initiatives to restore security in the region.

This strategic gathering brought together AU facilitators alongside representatives from international partners like the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Regional bodies, including the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), were also in attendance.

Gnassingbé commended the strides made in organizing the African mediation framework. He specifically highlighted the evolution since the previous Lomé meeting, which aimed at harmonizing peace processes in the DRC and the broader region.

“A major milestone has been reached since January by streamlining the African mediation structure,” the President stated. He expressed confidence that the meeting represents a vital step forward in refining collective strategies and securing lasting solutions to the ongoing instability.

Despite these achievements, the Mediator stressed the essential need for continued efforts to improve synergy and coordination between various mediation channels active in the regional peace process. He insisted that coherence remains a priority for the success of these diplomatic missions.

Reconfirming his dedication to the mandate granted by the AU, Gnassingbé urged for sustained collective action to ensure stability in the DRC. He emphasized that the mission would proceed with humility and persistence, noting the presence of many stakeholders willing to support the quest for peace.

To sustain this momentum, the assembly approved several measures to optimize mediation. These include updating the work schedules for the Panel of Facilitators for the latter half of 2026 and drafting an operational action plan within two weeks to detail how the latest decisions will be implemented. With a shared sense of purpose, the participants pledged to carry out these new directives with diligence and consistency.