NAIROBI, Kenya — Former President Uhuru Kenyatta joined a high-level panel of African leaders in Lomé, Togo, to breathe new life into the Democratic Republic of Congo’s long-running peace process.
Meeting with African Union (AU) Mediator President Faure Gnassingbé on May 17, the group emphasized the need for deepened dialogue between the DRC government and the M23 rebel group—and welcomed signs that peace may finally be more than just talk.
The gathering brought together veteran peacemakers from across the continent, all working under a unified framework aimed at resolving the violent standoff in eastern DRC.
And for once, there’s a sliver of hope: recent commitments by DRC and Rwanda have resulted in a ceasefire—a rare and fragile breakthrough.
AU Panel Rallies Behind Dialogue—and Ceasefire
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the situation in eastern DRC has been a geopolitical nightmare, with rebel violence, cross-border tension, and humanitarian disasters piling up. But during the Lomé meeting, former presidents—including Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Catherine Samba-Panza (CAR), Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana), and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia)—threw their collective weight behind diplomatic solutions.
In a statement from Uhuru Kenyatta’s office, the panel “emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue and cooperation among the conflicting parties,” praising the recent ceasefire agreement and reaffirming a commitment to long-term regional stability.
The team, now operating under a single umbrella that merges the previously separate Luanda and Nairobi processes, is working to avoid duplicating efforts and instead focus on coordinated peacebuilding.
Faure Gnassingbé Steps Into the Mediator Role
In April, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé officially took the reins as the AU’s Chief Mediator for the DRC peace process. He replaces João Lourenço, the President of Angola, who stepped down in March to focus on his broader duties as AU Chairperson.
Lourenço’s transition wasn’t abrupt; it was strategic. He personally recommended Gnassingbé as his successor, citing his diplomatic dexterity and strong regional ties.
The panel expressed “appreciation for President Gnassingbé’s leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing peace in Africa.”
A Unified Peace Agenda Emerges
This isn’t just a diplomatic retreat. The Lomé meeting follows a major February summit in Dar es Salaam, where leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) agreed to consolidate efforts under a single panel of facilitators.
Co-chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and President William Ruto of Kenya, the summit marked a rare moment of unity in the fractured world of regional diplomacy.
By forming this joint panel, African leaders hope to deliver a coordinated push for peace—one rooted in African solutions to African problems. It’s a bold bet, but one that might just pay off if the ceasefire holds and talks deepen.
