Former President Kenyatta collaborates with AU leaders to promote stability in DRC
The meeting took place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Lomé, Togo.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has teamed up with other African Union leaders in a fresh effort to restore peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
On May 19, 2025, Uhuru shared on his official X account that he participated in a high-level meeting with fellow members of the Panel of Facilitators and AU Mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.
The meeting took place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Lomé, Togo.
"President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta, alongside members of the Panel of Facilitators, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Mokgweetsi Masisi, Catherine Samba-Panza, and Sahle-Work Zewde, met with AU Mediator H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé in Lomé, Togo on May 17, 2025," the statement reads.
In the discussions, the AU Mediator and the Panel highlighted the vital need to encourage dialogue and collaboration between the conflicting parties in the DRC.
They expressed optimism over recent developments, noting renewed commitments from key stakeholders to participate in peaceful negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
"The AU Mediator and the Panel stressed the significance of promoting dialogue and cooperation among the conflicting parties, and welcomed recent pledges toward a peaceful resolution," the statement further notes.
The leaders jointly reiterated their commitment to securing enduring stability both in the Democratic Republic of Congo and across the wider Great Lakes region, which has historically faced cross-border tensions and repeated violence.
"They reaffirmed their collective dedication to achieving lasting stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the broader region," the statement says.
The statement also acknowledged the significant role of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé in the peace efforts, commending his leadership in guiding the AU mediation process.
"The Panel expressed deep appreciation to H.E. Gnassingbé for his leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing peace in Africa," the statement noted.
The Panel of Facilitators was established following an agreement made at a virtual Joint Summit of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government on March 24, 2025.
The summit, co-led by Kenya’s President and EAC Chair William Ruto alongside Zimbabwe’s President and SADC Chair Emmerson Mnangagwa, brought together 14 regional leaders to address the worsening security crisis in eastern DRC.
"The Joint Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened a virtual meeting on 24th March 2025 to discuss the report presented by the joint EAC-SADC Ministers concerning the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)," the official communiqué from the summit stated.
The panel, composed of five distinguished members, features Uhuru Kenyatta from Kenya, Olusegun Obasanjo from Nigeria, Kgalema Motlanthe from South Africa, Catherine Samba-Panza from the Central African Republic, and Sahle-Work Zewde representing Ethiopia.
According to the communiqué, "The Joint Summit, with consideration for gender balance, regional representation, and linguistic diversity, selected these eminent individuals to serve as the Panel of Facilitators."
These facilitators are tasked with mediating between armed groups, overseeing the peace process, and collaborating closely with organizations such as the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, and the United Nations Security Council to guarantee the prompt and effective advancement of peace initiatives.
