Key diplomatic discussions in Lomé focus on eastern DRC security challenges
- Security
The Togolese Prime Minister and African Union mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé hosted Floribert Anzuluni, Special Envoy of Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi, in Lomé on Tuesday 14 July 2026.
The meeting centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Kinshasa and Lomé while addressing the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC. With mediation efforts intensifying, both parties discussed strategies to restore long-term peace in the Great Lakes region, which has faced persistent armed conflict for over three decades.
According to official statements, “Mr. Floribert Anzuluni expressed gratitude for the Togolese leader’s personal commitment to finding a sustainable solution to the conflict gripping the Great Lakes region. As designated African Union mediator for resolving the eastern DRC crisis, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé continues consultations with all stakeholders to facilitate a peaceful and lasting resolution.”
Before arriving in Lomé, Anzuluni had visited Uganda to deliver a message from President Tshisekedi to Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni. These diplomatic engagements occur against a backdrop of ongoing hostilities in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group—allegedly backed by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and international reports—continues its offensive against government forces.
The M23 maintains control over significant portions of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces while diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha struggle to yield tangible peace agreements.
Regional diplomatic landscape
The discussions in Lomé follow a series of high-level diplomatic consultations across the region. Kinshasa and Luanda have maintained regular exchanges on bilateral relations and regional peace and security issues. These meetings coincide with consultations led by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, current African Union chairperson, with religious leaders and opposition figures in DRC.
Another significant diplomatic development involved 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.
The Lomé meeting comes weeks after a technical session of the semi-annual peace process evaluation meeting held from 7-8 June 2026 in Lomé at the initiative of Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbé, AU mediator for the DRC crisis. During these meetings, Gnassingbé emphasized the need to enhance coherence, complementarity, and coordination among various mediation mechanisms working toward peace in the region.
The mediator stressed that “only concerted action by regional, continental, and international actors can consolidate progress and foster lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.”
Peace process milestones
This evaluation session followed a high-level meeting on strengthening peace process coherence in DRC held on 16-17 January in Lomé. Initiated by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, these meetings aim to build trust between parties, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments made by all actors involved in the peace process.
The January initiative brought together former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives from the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, along with several international partners.
Gnassingbé’s diplomatic efforts build on months of regional engagement to stabilize eastern DRC, demonstrating Togo’s growing role in continental peace initiatives.
