Appointed by the African Union as the official mediator in the conflict affecting eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo is actively pursuing his mission to rekindle talks between Kinshasa and Kigali, aiming for a lasting reconciliation. As part of a forward-looking diplomatic strategy, the Togolese leader has embarked on a series of high-level visits to countries involved in the crisis.
He began his mission in Luanda, Angola, where he met with President João Lourenço, his predecessor in this regional peace initiative. The discussions marked the beginning of a robust effort to revive dialogue in the Great Lakes region.
Following that, President Gnassingbé traveled to Kinshasa for a meeting with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. Their exchange focused on promoting peace and reconciliation. His next stop was Kigali, where he held a direct meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose government has faced allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group involved in the armed conflict in eastern DRC.
Having now consulted the key stakeholders, President Faure Gnassingbé is well-positioned to assume the delicate role of facilitator between the DRC and Rwanda. His goal is to pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and help restore stability in the troubled region.
Faure Gnassingbé has earned recognition in recent years for his involvement in various regional conflict resolution efforts. With his proactive and determined diplomatic approach, he aims to secure a ceasefire and reestablish diplomatic ties between Kinshasa and Kigali. His involvement underscores the importance of African-led solutions to regional challenges, particularly in the fragile Great Lakes region.
