In a significant diplomatic engagement, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Council of Ministers and designated mediator by the African Union for the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) crisis, received Floribert Anzuluni, Minister of Regional Integration of the DRC, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Pya, Kozah Prefecture.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Lomé and Kinshasa, while addressing the persistent security challenges plaguing the eastern DRC. The discussions also centered on ongoing mediation initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region, which has faced decades of armed conflict.

According to official statements from the Togolese presidency, Floribert Anzuluni expressed gratitude for Faure Gnassingbé’s personal commitment to resolving the conflict in the Great Lakes region. As the African Union’s mediator for the eastern DRC crisis, Faure Gnassingbé continues to engage with key stakeholders to facilitate a peaceful and lasting resolution.

« The Congolese envoy commended the Togolese leader’s dedication to finding a durable solution to the ongoing conflict in the Great Lakes region. As the African Union’s designated mediator, President Faure Gnassingbé is actively pursuing consultations with all relevant parties to promote a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the crisis. »

Floribert Anzuluni’s visit to Lomé followed a diplomatic mission to Uganda, where he delivered a message from DRC President Félix Tshisekedi to Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni. These high-level exchanges occur against a backdrop of escalating hostilities in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and multiple international reports, continues its offensive against government forces. The rebels maintain control over significant portions of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, while diplomatic efforts in Washington and Doha struggle to yield tangible progress toward a lasting peace.

Domestically, these discussions unfold amid heightened political debates in the DRC regarding a potential constitutional revision or change, just two years before the end of President Félix Tshisekedi’s current term.

The diplomatic engagements also coincide with intensified regional consultations. Kinshasa and Luanda continue regular exchanges on bilateral issues and regional peace and security concerns in the Great Lakes. These talks follow consultations led by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Chairperson of the African Union, with religious leaders and opposition figures in the DRC.

A notable diplomatic milestone was the recent visit of Félix Tshisekedi to Brazzaville for discussions with Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, following Évariste Ndayishimiye’s state visit to Kinshasa. Days later, Denis Sassou Nguesso continued consultations by meeting with Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo to address the political and institutional situation in the DRC.

Floribert Anzuluni’s visit to Lomé comes weeks after the semi-annual technical evaluation session of the peace process, held on June 7–8, 2026, in Lomé at the initiative of Faure Gnassingbé. During this session, the Togolese leader emphasized the need to enhance coherence, complementarity, and coordination among the various mediation mechanisms involved in the peace process. He underscored the importance of sustained collective mobilization to uphold stability, peace, and security in eastern DRC.

For the African Union mediator, only a unified and concerted effort among regional, continental, and international actors can consolidate progress and pave the way for lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.

This evaluation session followed the high-level meeting on coherence and consolidation of the peace process in the DRC, organized on January 16–17 in Lomé. Initiated by Faure Gnassingbé, these meetings aim to build trust among parties, advance dialogue, and ensure adherence to commitments made by all stakeholders in the peace process. The gatherings brought together former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), along with several international partners.

This initiative builds on months of diplomatic efforts to stabilize eastern DRC, reflecting a broader commitment to regional peace and security.