African mediation sets mid-year peace plan for eastern DRC
African-led mediation group charts new course for eastern DRC peace efforts
- Security
Togolese Prime Minister Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, serving as the African Union’s mediator for resolving the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region, concluded two days of critical discussions in Lomé on June 8, 2026. The meeting focused on assessing progress in the African-led mediation initiative amid ongoing diplomatic stagnation and continued clashes between government forces and the M23 rebel group, reportedly supported by Rwanda.
The high-level gathering brought together the African Union’s Facilitators’ College along with 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).
The June 7-8 sessions aimed to evaluate progress since the mediation framework was established in Lomé on January 17, 2026, and to outline strategic priorities for the second half of 2026. These priorities will support parallel peace processes in Washington and Doha, led respectively by the United States and Qatar.
Key strategic decisions adopted
The meeting produced several groundbreaking decisions to strengthen the mediation architecture:
- Enhanced internal coordination: The Bureau of the Mediator, Facilitators’ Panel, African Union Commission, and Independent Joint Secretariat will implement a unified operational framework.
- Structured African contribution: A coordinated African position will be developed to bolster the Washington and Doha processes, increasing ownership and implementation feasibility.
- Strengthened solidarity: Participating states and organizations committed to intensified cooperation while respecting defined mandates within the Lomé framework.
Immediate action plan
The assembly adopted urgent measures including:
- Adjustment of facilitators’ work plans for the second half of 2026
- Development of a 15-day operational action plan detailing implementation modalities
“With renewed collective determination and shared responsibility, participants pledged to implement these decisions with diligence and coherence,” stated the Togolese presidency. “We remain committed to honoring our commitments and working together for lasting peace in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.”
This meeting follows the January 16-17, 2026 high-level conference in Lomé that established the mediation architecture. That initiative, spearheaded by Gnassingbé as AU-appointed mediator, brought together former heads of state, regional organizations, and international partners to restore trust between parties and advance dialogue.
The current mediation framework places Togolese leadership at its core, supported by a team including the Togolese Foreign Ministry and presidential administration. Five former African presidents serve as co-facilitators covering specific portfolios: Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo handles military/security matters, Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde oversees humanitarian issues, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta manages dialogue with local armed groups, Botswana’s Mokgweetsi Masisi addresses regional economic cooperation, and Central African Republic’s Catherine Samba-Panza leads civil society, reconciliation, and gender initiatives.
The structure also features an Independent Joint Secretariat incorporating Togo, the African Union, EAC, SADC, and ICGLR, with the AU Commission coordinating international partners including the UN, Qatar, European Union, and UN Security Council permanent members.