African mediation for eastern drc adopts new guidelines and efficiency measures

Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, president of the Togo Council and African Union mediator for the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region, chaired a meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Lomé. The session focused on a six-month evaluation of activities under the African mediation, set against a backdrop of stalled diplomatic efforts and ongoing hostilities between government forces and the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebellion.

The gathering brought together members of the College of Facilitators appointed by the African Union, as well as representatives from the United Nations, the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Held over two days, June 7 and 8, 2026, the meeting aimed to assess progress since the mediation architecture was established in Lomé on January 17, 2026, and to set priorities for the second half of the year. The efforts are designed to support the Washington and Doha processes led by the United States and Qatar, respectively.

Strategic directions for the second half of 2026

According to the Togolese presidency’s summary, the evaluation meeting adopted several key orientations, including strengthening internal coordination among the Mediator’s Office, the Panel of Facilitators, the African Union Commission, and the independent joint secretariat.

Stakeholders also highlighted the need to structure and provide an African contribution to the complementary Washington and Doha processes, aiming to increase ownership, legitimacy, and facilitate implementation.

Participants called on all states and organizations involved in mediation efforts to enhance cooperation in a spirit of solidarity, while respecting the responsibilities and mandates defined in the mediation architecture adopted in Lomé on January 17, 2026.

Immediate decisions

The meeting adopted several measures to boost the mediation process’s effectiveness. These include adjusting work plans for Panel of Facilitators members for the second half of 2026, and, within fifteen days, drafting an operational action plan detailing how to implement the decisions taken.

“Driven by a renewed collective will and a spirit of shared responsibility, participants committed to implementing the meeting’s decisions diligently and coherently, honoring the commitments made, and working together for lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region,” the Togolese presidency stated.

This meeting follows the high-level session on coherence and consolidation of the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, held on January 16 and 17 in Lomé, Togo. Initiated by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the main mediator designated by the African Union for eastern DRC, that earlier meeting sought to build trust, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments by all actors involved in the peace process.

That initiative brought together a panel of facilitators composed of former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives from the EAC and SADC, and several international partners. It was part of the diplomatic efforts in recent months to stabilize eastern DRC.

At the conclusion of those talks, the African Union unveiled its mediation architecture for the peace process in eastern DRC, as outlined in an official document. According to that framework, mediation is under the authority of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, designated AU mediator. He is supported by a Togolese mediation support team comprising the Togolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the presidency.

The same document specifies that five co-facilitators, all former African heads of state, handle specific thematic areas. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo oversees military and security issues. Former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde manages humanitarian affairs. Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta supervises dialogue with local armed groups. Former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi is responsible for regional economic cooperation. Former Central African Republic transitional president Catherine Samba-Panza leads civil society, reconciliation, and gender-related matters.

The structure also includes an independent joint secretariat involving Togo, the African Union, the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community, and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. The African Union Commission coordinates with international partners including the United Nations, Qatar, the European Union, and the Group of Five permanent members of the UN Security Council.