Lomé recently hosted high-stakes diplomatic discussions between Togolese Prime Minister and African Union mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Minister of Regional Integration Floribert Anzuluni.

The meeting, held on 14 July 2026 in Pya, Kozah Prefecture, centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Togo and the DRC while addressing escalating security challenges in eastern DRC. The discussions also evaluated ongoing mediation initiatives aimed at restoring lasting peace in the Great Lakes region, which has faced persistent armed conflicts for over three decades.

“Minister Anzuluni expressed gratitude for President Gnassingbé’s personal commitment to resolving the conflict in the Great Lakes region,” a statement from the Togolese Council of Ministers noted. “As the designated African Union mediator for eastern DRC and the Great Lakes, President Gnassingbé is leading consultations with all stakeholders to achieve a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the crisis.”

The visit follows Anzuluni’s diplomatic mission to Uganda, where he delivered a message from DRC President Félix Tshisekedi to Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni. These discussions occur against a backdrop of intensified hostilities in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group—allegedly supported by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and international observers—continues its military campaign against government forces. The rebel movement maintains control over significant portions of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, consolidating its positions despite diplomatic efforts in Washington and Doha yielding limited progress toward conflict resolution.

The diplomatic engagements coincide with national political debates in the DRC regarding potential constitutional revisions ahead of the 2026 elections, just two years into President Tshisekedi’s term.

Regional diplomacy has intensified, with regular exchanges between Kinshasa and Luanda focusing on bilateral relations and security challenges in the Great Lakes region. These talks follow consultations by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye—current African Union chairperson—with religious leaders and opposition figures in the DRC. The recent visit by Tshisekedi to Brazzaville for discussions with Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso further highlights the regional diplomatic momentum.

Anzuluni’s visit to Lomé comes weeks after the semi-annual peace process evaluation meeting held from 7-8 June 2026 in Lomé, initiated by Gnassingbé. During these sessions, the Togolese leader emphasized the need for enhanced coordination among mediation mechanisms working toward peace in the region. He underscored the importance of sustained collective action to achieve stability and security in eastern DRC.

Gnassingbé stressed that only coordinated efforts among regional, continental, and international actors could consolidate peace gains and establish durable stability in the Great Lakes region. This evaluation meeting followed the high-level peace consolidation conference in Lomé on 16-17 January 2026, which brought together former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives from the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, and international partners.

The initiative aims to build trust among parties, advance dialogue, and ensure compliance with commitments made by all stakeholders in the peace process, representing a continuation of diplomatic efforts over recent months to stabilize eastern DRC.