Togo’s mediator engages with DRC envoy on Great Lakes security

The Togolese prime minister and African Union mediator for the DRC-Rwanda conflict, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, hosted Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Regional Integration Minister Floribert Anzuluni in Lomé this Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

During the meeting at the presidential palace in Pya, Kozah prefecture, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Kinshasa and Lomé while addressing security challenges in eastern DRC. The talks also covered ongoing mediation efforts to restore lasting peace in the Great Lakes region, which has faced armed conflicts for over three decades.

“Floribert Anzuluni expressed gratitude for President Gnassingbé’s personal commitment to finding a durable solution to the conflict in the Great Lakes region. As the designated African Union mediator for resolving the crisis in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes, President Gnassingbé continues consultations with stakeholders to promote a peaceful and sustainable resolution,” stated the Togolese Council of Ministers.

Before arriving in Lomé, Anzuluni had visited Uganda as a special envoy of President Félix Tshisekedi, carrying a message to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. These diplomatic engagements occur against the backdrop of intensified fighting in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group — supported by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and multiple international reports — continues its offensive against government forces. The rebels maintain control over significant portions of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces while diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha struggle to yield sustainable peace agreements.

The meetings follow a period of intense diplomatic consultations in the region. Kinshasa and Luanda have maintained regular exchanges on bilateral issues and regional peace and security concerns. They follow consultations led by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, current African Union chair, with religious leaders and opposition figures in DRC.

Other key diplomatic developments include President Tshisekedi’s recent visit to Brazzaville for talks with Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso, following Ndayishimiye’s state visit to Kinshasa. Days later, Sassou Nguesso continued consultations by receiving Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo to discuss DRC’s political and institutional situation.

Anzuluni’s visit to Lomé comes weeks after the semi-annual peace process evaluation meeting held June 7-8, 2026, initiated by Togolese President Gnassingbé. During that session, Gnassingbé emphasized the need to enhance coherence, complementarity and coordination among various mediation mechanisms working toward peace in the region. He stressed maintaining collective mobilization for stability, peace and security in eastern DRC.

The mediator believes only concerted action by regional, continental and international actors can consolidate peacebuilding gains and foster lasting stability in the Great Lakes region.

This evaluation session followed the high-level meeting on coherence and consolidation of DRC’s peace process held January 16-17 in Lomé. Initiated by Gnassingbé as AU mediator for eastern DRC, these meetings aim to build trust between parties, advance dialogue and ensure respect for commitments by all actors involved in the peace process.

The initiative brought together former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), and international partners. It builds on diplomatic efforts over recent months to stabilize eastern DRC.