African mediation sets new course for eastern DRC peace process in second half of 2026

Togo’s Council President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the African Union mediator for the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region, chaired a meeting in Lomé on Monday, June 8, 2026. The session assessed the first semester of mediation activities amid persistent diplomatic deadlock and ongoing fighting between government forces and the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebellion.

The meeting brought together members of the College of Facilitators appointed by the African Union, along with 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).

Over two days, June 7-8, 2026, participants evaluated progress since the mediation architecture was established in Lomé on January 17, 2026, and set priorities for the remaining half of the year to support the Washington and Doha processes led by the United States and Qatar, respectively.

Strategic orientations for the second half of 2026

According to the Togolese Presidency’s summary, the review meeting adopted several guidelines, including strengthening internal coordination among the Mediator’s Office, the Panel of Facilitators, the African Union Commission, and the independent Joint Secretariat.

Stakeholders also stressed the need to structure and contribute an African perspective to the supplementary Washington and Doha processes to enhance ownership, legitimacy, and implementation.

Participants called on all states and organizations involved in mediation efforts to deepen 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 the work plans of Panel of Facilitators members for the second semester of 2026 and developing, within fifteen days, an operational action plan specifying the implementation modalities for the decisions reached.

“Driven by a renewed collective will and a spirit of shared responsibility, participants committed to diligently and consistently implement the decisions of this meeting, honor undertakings, and work together for lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region,” the Togolese Presidency stated.

This latest session follows a high-level meeting on coherence and consolidation of the DRC peace process held January 16-17 in Lomé, Togo. Initiated by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Togo’s Council President and AU lead mediator for eastern DRC, that earlier meeting aimed to build trust, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments made by various stakeholders.

That initiative brought together a panel of facilitators comprising former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, and several international partners. It was part of ongoing diplomatic efforts for stability in eastern DRC.

At the conclusion of those talks, the African Union unveiled its mediation architecture for the eastern DRC peace process. Under that framework, the mediation is led by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, designated as AU mediator, supported by a Togolese mediation support team including the foreign ministry and presidency.

Five co-facilitators, all former African heads of state, handle specific themes. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is responsible for military and security issues. Former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde oversees humanitarian matters. Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta leads dialogue with local armed groups. Former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi handles regional economic cooperation, while former Central African Republic transitional President Catherine Samba-Panza manages civil society, reconciliation, and gender affairs.

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 AU Commission coordinates with international partners including the United Nations, Qatar, the European Union, and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.