Togolese Prime Minister and African Union mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé hosted Floribert Anzuluni, Special Envoy of Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Pya in the Kozah prefecture. The meeting focused on deepening bilateral cooperation between Lomé and Kinshasa while addressing the persistent security challenges in eastern DRC.

According to Togolese government sources, discussions centered on strengthening regional peace initiatives in the Great Lakes region, which has faced decades of armed conflict. Floribert Anzuluni conveyed President Tshisekedi’s gratitude for Gnassingbé’s leadership in mediating the crisis, emphasizing Togo’s role as the African Union’s designated mediator for eastern DRC.

“The Congolese envoy expressed appreciation for President Gnassingbé’s personal commitment to finding a sustainable solution to the Great Lakes conflict. As AU mediator, he continues consultations with stakeholders to facilitate a peaceful resolution,” stated government officials.

Before arriving in Lomé, Anzuluni had visited Uganda to deliver a message from President Tshisekedi to President Yoweri Museveni. These diplomatic engagements occur amid ongoing hostilities in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebellion—allegedly supported by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and international reports—continues its offensive against government forces.

The discussions also coincide with domestic political debates in Congo regarding potential constitutional revisions ahead of President Tshisekedi’s term end in 2028.

Recent weeks have seen intensified diplomatic efforts, including high-level meetings between Kinshasa and Luanda, consultations by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye with religious leaders and opposition figures in Congo, and a state visit by Tshisekedi to Brazzaville to meet Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso.

The Lomé meeting followed a technical evaluation session of the peace process held June 7-8, 2026, where Gnassingbé stressed the need for better coordination among regional mediation mechanisms. He underscored that only collective action by regional, continental, and international actors could consolidate peace gains in eastern DRC.

This followed a January 2026 high-level meeting in Lomé aimed at building trust between parties and advancing dialogue. The gathering brought together former heads of state, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, representatives of the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, and international partners.

Gnassingbé, as AU mediator, has positioned Togo as a key hub for peace efforts in the Great Lakes region through these sustained diplomatic initiatives.