According to Togolese government sources, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Kinshasa and Lomé, alongside the security situation in eastern DRC and ongoing mediation efforts to restore lasting peace in the Great Lakes region—a region plagued by armed conflict for over three decades.

« Mr. Floribert Anzuluni expressed gratitude to the Togolese Prime Minister for his personal commitment to finding a durable solution to the conflict in the Great Lakes region. President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, designated African Union mediator for resolving the crisis in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes, continues consultations with stakeholders to promote a peaceful and lasting resolution, » stated government sources.

Prior to his Lomé visit, Mr. Anzuluni, special envoy of President Félix Tshisekedi, had traveled to Uganda to deliver a message from the Congolese president to Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni. These meetings occur against a backdrop of continued hostilities in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebellion, allegedly backed by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and multiple international reports, continues its offensive against government forces. The group maintains control over large parts of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces while consolidating its positions on the ground, even as diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha struggle to pave the way for a lasting resolution.

These exchanges also coincide with national political debates in the DRC regarding a potential constitutional revision or change, just two years before the end of President Félix Tshisekedi’s current term.

The diplomatic engagements follow intense regional consultations. Kinshasa and Luanda maintain regular exchanges on bilateral issues and regional peace and security in the Great Lakes. They also follow consultations led by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, current African Union chair, with major religious leaders in the DRC and a group of Congolese opposition figures.

Another key diplomatic development related to the DRC situation was President Félix Tshisekedi’s recent visit to Brazzaville for talks with Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso, following a state visit by Évariste Ndayishimiye to Kinshasa. Days later, Denis Sassou Nguesso continued consultations by meeting Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo to discuss the political and institutional situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr. Anzuluni’s arrival in Lomé comes weeks after the technical session of the semi-annual peace process evaluation meeting held on 7-8 June 2026 in Lomé at the initiative of Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbé, African Union mediator for resolving the crisis in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes. During these meetings, Mr. Gnassingbé emphasized the need to further strengthen coherence, complementarity, and coordination among various mediation mechanisms engaged in the peace process across the region. He stressed the importance of maintaining collective and sustained mobilization in support of stability, peace, and security in eastern DRC.

For the African Union mediator, only concerted action by regional, continental, and international actors can consolidate progress made and foster durable peace in the Great Lakes region.

This evaluation session followed a high-level meeting on coherence and consolidation of the peace process in the DRC organized on 16-17 January in Lomé, Togo. Initiated by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Togolese Prime Minister and principal African Union mediator for eastern DRC, these meetings aim to build trust between parties, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments made by all actors involved in the peace process.

This initiative brought together a panel of facilitators including former heads of state, Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), and several international partners. It built on diplomatic efforts in recent months to bolster stability in eastern DRC.