Togo hosts Congo’s envoy to discuss eastern DRC security and mediation efforts

Lomé, Togo – The Togolese capital played host to a high-level diplomatic exchange on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, as Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Togolese Prime Minister and African Union mediator for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict, met with Floribert Anzuluni, DRC’s Minister of Regional Integration. The discussions centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing the persistent security challenges in eastern DRC, where armed groups continue to destabilize the region.

The meeting took place in Pya, within the Kozah prefecture, and focused on advancing mediation efforts to restore lasting peace in the Great Lakes region. According to a statement from the Togolese Council of Ministers, the Congolese envoy expressed gratitude for Gnassingbé’s personal commitment to resolving the conflict, which has plagued the region for over three decades.

“Mr. Floribert Anzuluni commended the Togolese Prime Minister for his pivotal role in seeking a durable solution to the conflict gripping the Great Lakes region. As the designated African Union mediator for the eastern DRC crisis, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé is actively engaging with stakeholders to foster a peaceful resolution,” the statement read.

Prior to his visit to Lomé, Anzuluni had traveled to Uganda to deliver a message from DRC President Félix Tshisekedi to Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni. These diplomatic engagements unfold against a backdrop of intensified hostilities in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group—allegedly supported by Rwanda, according to Kinshasa and international reports—continues its offensive against government forces. The group maintains control over significant portions of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, while diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha struggle to yield tangible progress.

The talks also coincided with national political debates in the DRC regarding potential constitutional revisions or changes, just two years before the end of President Tshisekedi’s term.

Diplomatic consultations in the region have intensified, with Kinshasa and Luanda maintaining regular exchanges on bilateral issues and regional peace and security. These discussions follow consultations led by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who serves as the current African Union chair, with religious leaders and opposition figures in the DRC.

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

The Congolese envoy’s arrival in Lomé followed a technical session of the semiannual peace process evaluation meeting held in the Togolese capital on June 7–8, 2026, at the initiative of Gnassingbé. During the event, the Togolese leader emphasized the need to enhance coherence, complementarity, and coordination among the various mediation mechanisms working toward peace in the region. He underscored the importance of sustained collective action to bolster stability, peace, and security in eastern DRC.

In Gnassingbé’s view, only a unified effort by regional, continental, and international actors can consolidate progress and pave the way for enduring peace in the Great Lakes region.

The June evaluation session followed a high-level meeting in Lomé on January 16–17, 2026, also convened by Gnassingbé. This gathering brought together former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and international partners. The goal was to rebuild trust between parties, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments made by all stakeholders involved in the peace process.

The January meeting was part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize eastern DRC, reinforcing the need for coordinated action to address the region’s protracted conflicts.