EAC Calls on AU to Strengthen Mediation Efforts in Eastern DRC

Arusha, March 9, 2026 - The East African Community (EAC) has urged the African Union (AU) to mobilize adequate financial and logistical resources to support ongoing mediation efforts aimed at resolving the escalating crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The appeal follows the 25th Summit of Heads of State held on March 7 in Arusha, where regional leaders reviewed the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation marked by rising tensions between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, as well as continued clashes involving the AFC/M23 rebellion. In its final communiqué, the Summit emphasized the urgency of reinforcing the AU-led mediation framework. “The Summit urged the African Union to provide the necessary financial and logistical resources to the African Union-led mediation process in eastern DRC to ensure a swift and sustained commitment to its conclusion,” the statement read. The mediation process, aligned with parallel diplomatic tracks in Washington and Doha, is led by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who serves as the AU’s designated mediator for the eastern DRC crisis. The current structure stems from a high-level meeting convened in January 2026 in Lomé, aimed at harmonizing peace initiatives. Under this framework, Gnassingbé is supported by a Togolese mediation team drawn from the presidency and foreign affairs ministry. Five co-facilitators-former African heads of state-have been assigned key thematic roles: Olusegun Obasanjo oversees military and security issues, Sahle-Work Zewde handles humanitarian concerns, Uhuru Kenyatta leads dialogue with armed groups, Mokgweetsi Masisi manages regional economic cooperation, and Catherine Samba-Panza is responsible for civil society, reconciliation, and women’s issues. A joint secretariat-bringing together the AU, EAC, Southern African Development Community (SADC), and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR)-has also been established to coordinate efforts, alongside international partners including the United Nations, the European Union, and Qatar. Despite intensified diplomatic engagement, progress on the ground remains limited. The Washington track, backed by Donald Trump and endorsed by Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, has yet to translate into tangible security improvements. Mutual accusations between Kinshasa and Kigali over alleged violations continue to undermine trust and stability. Meanwhile, the Doha negotiations-facilitated by Qatar between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebellion-have slowed significantly. Key provisions, including the ceasefire mechanism, declaration of principles, and framework agreement, remain unimplemented, stalling efforts to address root causes of the conflict such as state authority and armed group reintegration. This diplomatic impasse has contributed to renewed violent clashes in eastern DRC, further complicating an already fragile humanitarian situation. Calls for a national dialogue to complement international mediation efforts have also gone unanswered. President Tshisekedi maintains that such an initiative must be led exclusively by his office, despite mounting pressure from socio-political actors and recent proposals from religious groups. As mediation efforts struggle to gain momentum, regional leaders warn that without stronger institutional backing and coordinated implementation, prospects for lasting peace in eastern DRC remain uncertain.

Faits rapportés

Arusha, March 9, 2026 - The East African Community (EAC) has urged the African Union (AU) to mobilize adequate financial and logistical resources to support ongoing mediation efforts aimed at resolving the escalating crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The appeal follows the 25th Summit of Heads of State held on March 7 in Arusha, where regional leaders reviewed the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation marked by rising tensions between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, as well as continued clashes involving the AFC/M23 rebellion. In its final communiqué, the Summit emphasized the urgency of reinforcing the AU-led mediation framework. “The Summit urged the African Union to provide the necessary financial and logistical resources to the African Union-led mediation process in eastern DRC to ensure a swift and sustained commitment to its conclusion,” the statement read. The mediation process, aligned with parallel diplomatic tracks in Washington and Doha, is led by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who serves as the AU’s designated mediator for the eastern DRC crisis. The current structure stems from a high-level meeting convened in January 2026 in Lomé, aimed at harmonizing peace initiatives. Under this framework, Gnassingbé is supported by a Togolese mediation team drawn from the presidency and foreign affairs ministry. Five co-facilitators-former African heads of state-have been assigned key thematic roles: Olusegun Obasanjo oversees military and security issues, Sahle-Work Zewde handles humanitarian concerns, Uhuru Kenyatta leads dialogue with armed groups, Mokgweetsi Masisi manages regional economic cooperation, and Catherine Samba-Panza is responsible for civil society, reconciliation, and women’s issues. A joint secretariat-bringing together the AU, EAC, Southern African Development Community (SADC), and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR)-has also been established to coordinate efforts, alongside international partners including the United Nations, the European Union, and Qatar. Despite intensified diplomatic engagement, progress on the ground remains limited. The Washington track, backed by Donald Trump and endorsed by Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, has yet to translate into tangible security improvements. Mutual accusations between Kinshasa and Kigali over alleged violations continue to undermine trust and stability. Meanwhile, the Doha negotiations-facilitated by Qatar between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebellion-have slowed significantly. Key provisions, including the ceasefire mechanism, declaration of principles, and framework agreement, remain unimplemented, stalling efforts to address root causes of the conflict such as state authority and armed group reintegration. This diplomatic impasse has contributed to renewed violent clashes in eastern DRC, further complicating an already fragile humanitarian situation. Calls for a national dialogue to complement international mediation efforts have also gone unanswered. President Tshisekedi maintains that such an initiative must be led exclusively by his office, despite mounting pressure from socio-political actors and recent proposals from religious groups. As mediation efforts struggle to gain momentum, regional leaders warn that without stronger institutional backing and coordinated implementation, prospects for lasting peace in eastern DRC remain uncertain.