The African Union’s designated mediator for the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Faure Gnassingbé, chaired a high-level meeting in Lomé yesterday to assess the progress of African-led peace efforts in the region. The session brought together key facilitators from the African Union, international partners including the United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as regional blocs such as the East African Community, Economic Community of Central African States, Southern African Development Community, and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.

Gnassingbé highlighted the structured advancements made in the African mediation framework since January, emphasizing improved coordination among the various peace initiatives. “We have made significant strides in organizing our mediation architecture,” he stated. “This meeting represents a crucial step toward enhancing our collective impact and securing lasting solutions for the crisis in eastern DRC.”

Despite these gains, the Togolese leader stressed the urgent need for continued collaboration to strengthen coherence among the multiple mediation mechanisms active in the region. Reaffirming his commitment to the mission entrusted by the African Union, Gnassingbé called for sustained collective action to restore stability in the DRC.

“We will carry forward this responsibility with humility, determination, and perseverance,” he declared. “While challenges persist, we are encouraged by the strong willingness of partners to join us in this pursuit of peace.”

The meeting concluded with concrete steps to bolster mediation efforts, including the realignment of facilitators’ work plans for the second half of 2026 and the development of a 15-day operational action plan outlining the implementation of key decisions. Participants pledged to execute these measures with “utmost diligence and consistency.”

Next steps in the peace process

The African Union’s mediation team will focus on refining strategies to address the root causes of instability in eastern DRC, including cross-border security threats and humanitarian concerns. The upcoming operational plan is expected to provide a clear roadmap for aligning the efforts of regional and international actors involved in the peace process.