Togo’s President and African Union mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé hosted Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) envoy Floribert Anzuluni in Lomé on Tuesday to discuss escalating security challenges in eastern DRC and regional peace efforts.

According to Togolese officials, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Lomé and Kinshasa while addressing the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, a region plagued by decades of armed conflict.

« Mr. Floribert Anzuluni expressed gratitude for President Gnassingbé’s personal commitment to resolving the ongoing conflict in the Great Lakes region. As designated African Union mediator for DRC’s eastern crisis, President Gnassingbé continues consultations with key stakeholders to facilitate a peaceful resolution,» stated Togolese government sources.

Before arriving in Lomé, Mr. Anzuluni had visited Uganda to deliver a message from DRC President Félix Tshisekedi to Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni. These diplomatic engagements occur amid intensified fighting in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group—allegedly supported by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and international observers—continues its offensive against government forces. The rebels currently control significant portions of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

Diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha have yet to yield lasting peace agreements. Meanwhile, domestic political discussions in Kinshasa focus on potential constitutional reforms as President Tshisekedi approaches the end of his term in two years.

These discussions follow intensive regional diplomacy. Kinshasa and Luanda maintain regular bilateral exchanges on security and peace in the Great Lakes region. They follow recent consultations by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye—current African Union chair—with DRC religious leaders and opposition figures.

Another key diplomatic development involved DRC President Tshisekedi’s recent visit to Brazzaville to meet Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso, following a state visit by Burundi’s president to Kinshasa. Days later, Mr. Sassou Nguesso continued consultations by receiving Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo to discuss DRC’s political and institutional situation.

Mr. Anzuluni’s visit to Lomé follows the June 7-8 technical session of the AU’s semiannual peace process evaluation in Lomé, initiated by President Gnassingbé. During this meeting, President Gnassingbé emphasized the need to enhance coherence and coordination among mediation mechanisms working to stabilize eastern DRC. He stressed that collective, sustained action by regional, continental, and international actors remains essential to consolidate peace efforts and achieve durable stability in the Great Lakes region.

This evaluation session followed the January 16-17 high-level meeting in Lomé on peace process consolidation, which brought together former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives from the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, and international partners. The meeting sought to build trust between parties, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments made by involved stakeholders.