On Tuesday 14 July 2026 in Pya, within the Kozah prefecture, Togolese Prime Minister and African Union mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé received Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Regional Integration Minister Floribert Anzuluni, who was on a diplomatic mission to Togo.

According to the Togolese Council of Ministers, the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between Kinshasa and Lomé, as well as the security situation in eastern DRC and ongoing mediation efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Great Lakes region, which has faced armed conflicts for over three decades.

“Minister Floribert Anzuluni expressed gratitude to the Togolese leader for his personal commitment to finding a durable solution to the conflict affecting 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 the Togolese Council of Ministers.

Prior to his stop in Lomé, Floribert Anzuluni, envoy of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, had visited Uganda to deliver a message from Kinshasa to Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. These diplomatic exchanges come amid ongoing hostilities in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebellion, allegedly supported by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and multiple international reports, continues its offensive against government forces. The group maintains control over significant portions of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces while consolidating its positions on the ground, while diplomatic initiatives in Washington and Doha have yet to yield lasting peace agreements.

These meetings also occur against a national political backdrop marked by debates surrounding potential constitutional revision or change projects, just two years before the end of President Félix Tshisekedi’s current term.

The diplomatic consultations reflect intensified regional engagement. Kinshasa and Luanda continue regular exchanges on bilateral matters and regional peace and security issues in the Great Lakes. These follow consultations led by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, African Union chairperson, with major religious figures in DRC and opposition leaders.

Another significant diplomatic development related to the DRC situation: 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 receiving Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo to discuss political and institutional developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The DRC envoy’s arrival in Lomé follows the semi-annual peace process evaluation session held from 7-8 June 2026 in Lomé at the initiative of Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbé, African Union mediator for the eastern DRC and Great Lakes crisis. During these meetings, Gnassingbé emphasized the need for enhanced coherence, complementarity, and coordination among various mediation mechanisms involved in the peace process across the region. He stressed maintaining collective and sustained mobilization for stability, peace, and security in eastern DRC.

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

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

This initiative brought together a panel of facilitators including former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), along with several international partners, building on diplomatic efforts over recent months to stabilize eastern DRC.