Conflict in Eastern DRC: Faure Gnassingbé begins his mediation mission in Kinshasa
First visit of the new African Union mediator
Appointed African Union (AU) mediator in the crisis in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to replace Angolan President João Lourenço on April 11, 2025, Faure Gnassingbé made his first official visit to Kinshasa this Wednesday, April 16.
The Togolese head of state met with his Congolese counterpart, Félix Tshisekedi , to inaugurate his good offices mission.
A discreet but symbolic meeting
A two-hour interview at the OAU City
Arriving at Ndjili airport with a slight delay, Faure Gnassingbé, accompanied by his Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, went directly to the OAU City where he met for nearly two hours with Félix Tshisekedi.
No official statement was made following this meeting, but according to a source in the Congolese presidency, Kinshasa “takes note” of this appointment and hopes that it will contribute to a rapid end to the crisis .
A complex diplomatic context
Several parallel mediation initiatives
This mission comes at a time when other actors are already engaged in mediation efforts:
- Qatar recently facilitated a historic meeting between the Congolese and Rwandan presidents .
- The EAC and SADC have appointed four co-facilitators to follow the file.
Thus, Faure Gnassingbé will have to deal with a regional diplomacy that is already very active and sometimes competing.
A handover in Angola
Before his trip to Kinshasa, the Togolese president made a stopover in Luanda to meet with his predecessor, João Lourenço.
Here too, discretion prevailed, but the security situation in eastern DRC was at the heart of their discussions.
Conclusion
By setting foot in Kinshasa, Faure Gnassingbé is opening a new diplomatic phase in the complex issue of the conflict in eastern DRC.
While this was primarily a matter of making contact , the challenge is immense in a region marked by years of violence and a proliferation of mediation initiatives . The next stages of his mandate will be crucial in attempting to initiate a real peace process.
