High-level diplomacy in Togo to address Congo’s eastern instability

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Togolese Prime Minister and African Union mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé received Congolese Regional Integration Minister Floribert Anzuluni at Pya in the Kozah prefecture. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Kinshasa and Lomé while addressing security challenges in eastern DRC and mediation efforts to restore lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.

According to the Togolese Council of Ministers, the discussions highlighted Togo’s commitment to supporting diplomatic solutions in the DRC conflict. Floribert Anzuluni expressed gratitude for Gnassingbé’s personal involvement in resolving the long-standing crisis affecting the Great Lakes region.

“The Congolese envoy commended the Togolese leader for his pivotal role as the African Union’s designated mediator for the DRC crisis. Both parties reaffirmed their determination to advance peaceful negotiations amid ongoing hostilities in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group—allegedly backed by Rwanda—continues its offensive against government forces. Despite diplomatic efforts in Washington and Doha, sustainable conflict resolution remains elusive.”

Before his visit to Lomé, Anzuluni had also met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Kampala, carrying a message from Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. These engagements follow a series of high-level consultations as Kinshasa seeks regional support to address the insurgency and political tensions ahead of the 2026 elections.

The talks in Togo took place shortly after a technical session of the six-month peace process review held in Lomé on June 7–8, 2026. Faure Gnassingbé, who chairs the AU’s mediation for the DRC crisis, emphasized the need for cohesive and coordinated regional action to consolidate peace efforts. He stressed that only collective action by African and international actors could stabilize the region.

This gathering followed the January 2026 high-level meeting in Lomé, where regional leaders—including former heads of state, African Union representatives, and international partners—discussed trust-building and dialogue facilitation. The initiatives aim to ensure adherence to commitments made by all stakeholders involved in the peace process.

The current diplomatic momentum reflects broader regional engagement, with recent consultations between Kinshasa and Luanda, as well as visits by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye to Congo’s religious leaders and opposition figures. These efforts underscore the urgency of addressing eastern DRC’s security crisis, now in its fourth decade, through unified continental and international efforts.