Can Lomé’s quiet diplomacy finally deliver peace to eastern DRC?

On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé granted an audience in Lomé to Floribert Anzuluni, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Regional Integration, who is currently on an official visit to the country.

The Congolese envoy, who came to deliver a written communication from his counterpart, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, told reporters after the meeting: “We were dispatched to the President of the Council to convey a special message from President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi. This letter concerns the pacification process in eastern DRC, in which His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé plays a central role as African Union mediator.”

The Congolese minister took the opportunity to provide a detailed overview of recent progress on programs for demobilizing armed groups, a crucial initiative undertaken by Kinshasa to establish a lasting climate of peace in the eastern part of the country.

This audience fits squarely within Togo’s diplomatic commitments to support pacification and the restoration of lasting stability in the DRC and across the Great Lakes region.

Why Faure Gnassingbé’s mediation carries such weight

Appointed African Union mediator in April 2025 to address this regional crisis, Faure Gnassingbé has since stepped up diplomatic exchanges and consultations with the various stakeholders. Under his leadership, the Togolese capital has hosted several summits and strategic meetings bringing together African facilitators. These concerted efforts aim to advance political dialogue, consolidate ceasefire commitments, and harmonize peace initiatives for a definitive resolution of the conflict.

What the Anzuluni meeting signals for the peace process

The handover of the written message from Kinshasa underscores the trust placed in Lomé’s mediation. It also highlights the urgency of demobilization efforts, which remain a key benchmark for measuring progress on the ground. Observers note that the meeting reinforces Togo’s role as a diplomatic hub for Great Lakes peace talks.

Stakes and next steps

The delivery of this letter raises a critical question: can the momentum generated in Lomé translate into tangible improvements for communities in eastern DRC? The answer will depend on follow-up consultations and the willingness of all parties to honor their commitments. For now, the audience stands as another milestone in a long and delicate process.

By Claire Mvondo — Security and State Policy Expert