The air in Kampala was thick with anticipation on the day Faure Gnassingbé, Chairperson of the Togolese Council, arrived in the Ugandan capital. The official smiles and handshakes masked the gravity of pressing regional concerns, as the president carried a dual mission: celebrating an ally and advancing a humanitarian imperative that resonates across Africa—the restoration of peace in the Great Lakes region.

The inauguration ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni, re-elected in January, unfolded against a backdrop of traditional chants and military parades. Under the official theme “Safeguarding progress and advancing toward upper middle-income status,” the event drew African heads of state alongside delegations from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Yet, beyond the pomp and circumstance, the visit underscored a deep-rooted political and personal bond between Gnassingbé and Museveni.

Sharing his best wishes with Museveni for the new term, Gnassingbé reaffirmed the strength of the alliance between Lomé and Kampala. Museveni reciprocated by praising the unwavering partnership, highlighting how the Togolese leader’s presence symbolized the robust economic and political ties between their nations.

Diplomacy in action: Tackling the Great Lakes crisis

The smiles on the podium belied the urgency of the situation in the Great Lakes. As the African Union’s mediator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern crisis, Gnassingbé’s visit carried weighty implications. In Kampala, he seized the moment to reassert his commitment to relentless dialogue with all stakeholders in the region, emphasizing that every diplomatic effort could mean lives saved.

Uganda’s strategic role in the region was not lost on the participants. Museveni publicly commended Gnassingbé’s “constructive diplomacy,” a Togolese approach rooted in quiet negotiation, mutual respect, and a resolute rejection of conflict escalation. This method has consistently proven effective in navigating Africa’s most delicate political landscapes.

A partnership built on consistency

Within the halls of Uganda’s presidency, officials noted the deep familiarity between the two leaders. Their last bilateral meeting, held in Entebbe on February 3, 2026, underscores the regularity of their engagements. This consistency reflects Togo’s pivotal role as a facilitator and key contributor to peace efforts across the continent.

As the festivities in Kampala drew to a close, Gnassingbé’s mission entered a new phase. Returning to Lomé, he carried the conviction that the ties between West and East Africa had been strengthened for a shared cause: continental stability and development. This diplomatic endeavor reaffirms Togo’s dedication to collaborative governance and peacebuilding across Africa.