Former President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta joined African leaders in Lome, Togo, to address the Conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The mediation session was organised by the African Union (AU).
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the President of Togo, served as the AU mediator for the talks.
In attendance were representatives from the DRC and Rwanda, who included high-level diplomats and officials. Former African Presidents like Uhuru Kenyatta, Olusegun Obasanjo, Mokgweetsi Masisi, Catherine Samba-Panza and Sahle-Work Zewde- all members of the Panel of Facilitators- were also present.
The AU mediators and the panel emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue and cooperation among the conflicting parties, welcoming recent commitments to a peaceful resolution.
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group captured strategic cities like Goma and Bukavu earlier in January 2025. This led to the displacement of millions and caused thousands of deaths.
While Peace talks show progress, previous ceasefire talks have collapsed as Rwanda continues to deny supporting M23 despite UN evidence, which complicates the trust.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim supported by the UN, U.S., and other Western governments.
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He has also targeted former DRC President Joseph Kabila, alleging Kabila’s support for M23 and an “insurrection.” In late April 2025, Tshisekedi’s government moved to lift Kabila’s immunity, accusing him of war crimes and treason, and suspended Kabila’s political party.
Recent Congolese reports claim the Congolese soldiers are fleeing M23 advances and brought Tshisekedi’s government under serious criticism.
Tshisekedi has since offered the U.S. a minerals deal, leveraging Congo’s vast resources (cobalt, lithium, tantalum) for protection against rebels, signalling desperation amid military setbacks.
In March 2025, Qatar brokered an unexpected meeting in Doha between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, resulting in a joint demand for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” M23 rejected the appeal, demanding direct negotiations with the DRC, and pressed forward with its attacks.
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On April 25, 2025, Rwanda and the DRC signed a US-brokered agreement in Washington, pledging to draft a peace deal by May 2 and refrain from supporting armed groups.
While speaking in a presidential panel at the opening of the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Kagame said the growing number of initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict in eastern Congo is partly to blame for the slow progress in ending the war.
Western governments, previously lenient toward Kagame due to guilt over the 1994 genocide, have shifted stances. In early 2025, the US, EU, UK, Canada, and France imposed sanctions on Rwandan officials linked to M23, prompting Kagame to reportedly dismiss them, telling Western nations to “go to hell.”
China, Belgium and Burundi have also openly criticized Rwanda and suspended diplomatic ties with them.
The conflict has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with nearly 7 million displaced, including 3.5 million children, and over 100,000 refugees fleeing to Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania since January 2025.
They reaffirmed their collective dedication to achieving lasting stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the broader region. The Panel also expressed deep appreciation to H.E. Gnassingbé for his leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing peace in Africa.
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