The capital of Togo recently became the focal point for high-stakes discussions on the deepening crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). From June 7 to 8, diplomats and regional mediators gathered to assess the fragmented diplomatic landscape and bridge the gap between warring factions pursuing a lasting resolution.

Lomé’s strategic role in unifying divergent peace initiatives

The selection of Lomé as the meeting venue was deliberate. Faure Gnassingbé, the African Union’s designated facilitator for the Congolese dossier, has spent months attempting to consolidate disjointed mediation efforts. Initiatives such as the Nairobi process, led by the East African Community (EAC), and the Luanda talks, historically steered by Angola’s João Lourenço under AU auspices, have progressed in isolation. While a merger of these tracks began in 2024, tangible progress on the ground remains elusive.

Diplomats in attendance conceded that coordination remains the weakest link in the peace endeavor. Multiple stakeholders emphasized streamlining dialogue channels to prevent armed groups, particularly the March 23 Movement (M23), from exploiting divisions between mediators. The group’s military advances in North and South Kivu have reshaped regional security dynamics, exacerbating an already volatile situation.

Diplomatic deadlock persists between Kinshasa, Kigali, and rebel factions

Progress discussed in Lomé fell short of expectations. Direct negotiations between the DRC government and M23, once rejected by Kinshasa, have only materialized under mounting pressure from regional mediators and international partners. Meanwhile, the DRC-Rwanda bilateral track remains the most contentious hurdle, with accusations—backed by UN findings and Western capitals—of Rwanda’s alleged support for the rebel group.

Mediators underscored that delayed implementation of prior commitments, including the withdrawal of foreign forces and disarmament of armed groups, is alarmingly behind schedule. The challenges faced by the SADC’s mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which suffered significant casualties in early 2025, highlight the limitations of military solutions in a conflict fueled by economic, land, and identity grievances far beyond security concerns.

War economy fuels instability in eastern DRC

Participants also stressed the urgency of addressing illicit mining operations in Kivu, where coltan, tin, gold, and tungsten feed a war economy with global supply chain implications. Several mediators proposed establishing a regional traceability mechanism, deemed essential for sustainable de-escalation.

The Lomé meeting yielded no groundbreaking announcements but reaffirmed the need for an integrated approach. Future steps must prioritize Congolese civil society actors, long sidelined in favor of state-led negotiations. Civil society in North and South Kivu, along with customary authorities, are now recognized as vital partners to ground any potential agreement in the realities of affected communities.

Yet, mediators departed without a firm timeline for a comprehensive peace accord. The coming weeks will reveal whether the momentum from Lomé can shift the trajectory of a conflict that has defied peacebuilding efforts in the Great Lakes region for over three decades.