The African Union has convened a biannual evaluation meeting in Lomé, Togo, to review ongoing mediation efforts aimed at resolving the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and stabilising the wider Great Lakes region.
The two-day meeting, which began on 7 June 2026, brings together key stakeholders involved in the AU-led facilitation process to assess progress, evaluate recent diplomatic initiatives, and strengthen coordination mechanisms for peacebuilding efforts.
The session follows a previous coordination meeting held in Lomé in January 2026 and focuses on the implementation of earlier recommendations, as well as challenges affecting the peace process in conflict-affected areas of eastern DRC.
The opening ceremony was attended by officials including Togo’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yackoley Kokou Johnson, and representatives of the African Union Commission, including Ambassador Akok Manyuat Madut.
Prominent members of the AU panel of facilitators also participated, including former Presidents Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic and Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, who are playing central roles in the mediation process.
Discussions centred on the persistence of violence in parts of eastern DRC, where civilian populations continue to face insecurity, and on strengthening regional and international cooperation to support stabilization efforts.
Participants emphasized the need for sustained collective action by African states, the AU, and international partners to consolidate peace gains and guide the next phase of the reconciliation process in the region.