Faure Gnassingbé drives efforts for eastern DRC stability

President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, serving as the African Union (AU) Mediator for the ongoing crisis in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) and the broader Great Lakes area, chaired a pivotal high-level meeting in Lomé yesterday, Monday. The gathering was dedicated to the semi-annual assessment of initiatives undertaken within the framework of African mediation efforts.

This strategic assembly brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including AU facilitators, representatives from key international partners such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as well as delegates from regional organizations like 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).

During the proceedings, Mediator Gnassingbé commended the significant strides made in structuring the African mediation process. He particularly highlighted the notable advancements achieved since the previous Lomé meeting, which focused on enhancing the coherence and consolidation of the peace process across the RDC and the wider region.

“We have moved past a crucial phase since January, bringing greater organization to the framework of African mediation,” Gnassingbé stated. He further added, “I am confident that this meeting represents a meaningful step forward in refining our collective actions and in the pursuit of sustainable resolutions for this enduring crisis.”

Despite these encouraging developments, the Mediator underscored the imperative to sustain efforts aimed at further strengthening consistency and coordination among the various mediation mechanisms actively engaged in the peace process within this vital part of the continent.

While reaffirming his unwavering commitment to fulfilling the mandate entrusted to him by the AU, Gnassingbé simultaneously urged for continued collective mobilization in support of stability in the RDC.

“We will press on with this mission, guided by humility, determination, and perseverance. Despite the inherent challenges, we also recognize the presence of numerous benevolent actors prepared to join us in this quest for peace,” he emphasized.

To sustain the momentum initiated by the Mediator, the meeting formally endorsed several measures designed to optimize mediation efforts. These include adjusting the work plans for members of the Panel of Facilitators for the second half of 2026, alongside the commitment to develop an operational action plan within fifteen days. This plan will precisely outline the implementation modalities for all decisions reached.

With a renewed collective resolve, all participants pledged to execute these critical measures with both “diligence and coherence.”