The African Union (AU) has formally appointed H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic, as the new Mediator for AU-led engagement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda.
This decision was adopted through silence procedures during a Bureau of the Assembly meeting held via videoconference on 5 April 2025.
The appointment comes amid continued insecurity in the eastern part of the DRC, where regional tensions and conflict persist. President Gnassingbé is expected to continue the efforts initiated by H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation. Lourenço has been commended for his dedicated role in mediating between the DRC and Rwanda in recent years.
According to the adopted decision, the AU Commission is directed to work closely with relevant stakeholders to develop a unified roadmap for the mediation process. This roadmap will build on the progress achieved under the merged Luanda and Nairobi processes and reaffirm the AU’s leadership in conflict resolution efforts across the continent.
In an accompanying note dated 12 April 2025, the African Union Commission informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and all Permanent Missions of AU Member States that no objections had been raised by the deadline of 11 April. As such, the appointment of President Gnassingbé was confirmed by consensus.
The mediation mission comes at a critical time, as the AU seeks to prevent further escalation of violence in the Great Lakes region and foster long-term peace and stability. The Commission expressed confidence in President Gnassingbé’s leadership and diplomatic acumen, underlining the AU’s commitment to African-led solutions for African problems.
