African mediation adopts new roadmap for eastern DRC peace process

The president of Togo’s Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, acting as the African Union’s mediator for the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region, chaired a meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Lomé. The session focused on a mid-year review of mediation activities amid a diplomatic stalemate and ongoing clashes between government forces and the AFC/M23 rebellion, which is backed by Rwanda.

The gathering 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).

Held over two days on June 7 and 8, 2026, the meeting aimed to assess progress since the mediation framework was established in Lomé on January 17, 2026, and to set priorities for the second half of the year. These efforts are intended 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 enhance ownership, legitimacy, and implementation.

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

Immediate decisions

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

“Driven by a renewed collective will and a spirit of shared responsibility, participants committed to diligently and coherently implementing the decisions of this meeting, honoring their commitments, and working together for lasting peace in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region,” the Togolese Presidency stated.

This latest meeting follows a high-level session on coherence and consolidation of the peace process in the DRC, held on January 16 and 17 in Lomé, Togo. Initiated by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Togo’s Council president and the African Union’s lead mediator for eastern DRC, that meeting aimed to build trust between parties, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments made by various actors 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 ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize eastern DRC.

Following those talks, the African Union unveiled its mediation framework for the peace process in eastern DRC. Under this structure, mediation is led by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, the AU mediator. He is supported by a Togolese mediation support team comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidency.

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

The framework also includes an independent joint secretariat involving Togo, the African Union, the EAC, SADC, and the ICGLR. 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, the document stated.