Top African leaders gathered to untangle a brutal conflict that just will not end. A major African Union meeting in Lomé brought together key figures seeking peace for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé chaired the high-level session aimed at harmonizing regional mediation efforts.
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta shared that the meeting consolidated work by a Panel of Facilitators. The group adopted a detailed Work Plan to coordinate action toward ending the violence in eastern DRC. Participants pushed all sides to implement existing agreements through peaceful means.
The conflict involves DRC government forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Fighting has created a severe humanitarian disaster with massive internal displacement. Hundreds of civilian deaths have been reported from attacks by various armed groups.
Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda previously signed the Washington Accords. Clashes resumed almost immediately after that signing ceremony. The Panel of Facilitators was established following a virtual summit of regional bodies.
The panel includes former heads of state like Olusegun Obasanjo from Nigeria and Catherine Samba Panza from the Central African Republic. Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana and Sahle Work Zewde of Ethiopia are also members. Foreign ministers and international organization representatives joined the Lomé talks.
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta shared that the meeting consolidated work by a Panel of Facilitators. The group adopted a detailed Work Plan to coordinate action toward ending the violence in eastern DRC. Participants pushed all sides to implement existing agreements through peaceful means.
The conflict involves DRC government forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Fighting has created a severe humanitarian disaster with massive internal displacement. Hundreds of civilian deaths have been reported from attacks by various armed groups.
Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda previously signed the Washington Accords. Clashes resumed almost immediately after that signing ceremony. The Panel of Facilitators was established following a virtual summit of regional bodies.
The panel includes former heads of state like Olusegun Obasanjo from Nigeria and Catherine Samba Panza from the Central African Republic. Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana and Sahle Work Zewde of Ethiopia are also members. Foreign ministers and international organization representatives joined the Lomé talks.
