The African Union’s mediation efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have taken a decisive turn following a high-level meeting in Lomé, where regional leaders adopted a strategic roadmap for the second half of 2026. The summit, chaired by Togo’s Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbé—appointed by the AU as chief mediator—focused on strengthening coordination among peace stakeholders amid ongoing tensions in eastern DRC.
The gathering brought together key figures from the African Union’s Facilitators’ Panel, alongside representatives from the United Nations, East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Southern African Development Community (SADC), International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
key decisions for enhanced mediation
The two-day deliberations, held on June 7–8, 2026, centered on evaluating progress since the adoption of the Lomé mediation framework in January 2026. The new roadmap includes:
- Immediate action plan: A 15-day deadline was set to finalize an operational plan outlining the implementation of agreed-upon measures.
- Strategic alignment: Enhanced collaboration between the Mediator’s Office, Facilitators’ Panel, AU Commission, and an independent joint secretariat to streamline efforts.
- Support for parallel processes: Strengthening Africa’s contribution to the Washington and Doha peace dialogues to bolster their legitimacy and execution.
- Solidarity calls: A renewed commitment from all involved states and organizations to uphold shared responsibilities under the Lomé framework.
The summit underscored the need for “a collective will to translate these decisions into tangible actions for lasting peace in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.”
context and stakes
Eastern DRC remains embroiled in conflict, with clashes between government forces and the M23 rebel group—allegedly backed by RwandaUnited States and Qatar, which are leading separate peace tracks.
The AU’s mediation architecture, as outlined in January, features a team of five co-facilitators led by former heads of state:
- Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria): Military and security matters.
- Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia): Humanitarian issues.
- Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya): Dialogue with local armed groups.
- Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana): Regional economic cooperation.
- Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic): Civil society, reconciliation, and gender equality.
A joint secretariat—comprising the Togo, AU, EAC, SADC, and ICGLR—will coordinate with international partners like the UN, EU, and UN Security Council’s P5 to ensure cohesive action.
With the new roadmap in place, mediators are pressing for accelerated implementation to address the humanitarian crisis and restore stability in a region plagued by instability.