A delegation of African Union mediators arrived in Kinshasa on Oct. 9 for talks with Democratic Republic of Congo leaders, continuing efforts to address the conflict in the country’s east after meetings with the M23-led AFC coalition and Rwanda’s president.
The delegation includes former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde. Their visit to the Congolese capital follows discussions in Goma with AFC/M23 representatives and a meeting with President Paul Kagame in Kigali on Oct. 7.
Rwanda’s presidency said the mediators discussed the root causes of the conflict in eastern Congo with Kagame. The Congolese presidency announced that President Félix Tshisekedi was expected to receive the delegation on Oct. 9.
The mediators are expected to brief the Congolese government on their discussions with the various parties and report their findings to Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, who has been tasked with leading the African Union’s mediation efforts.
During their visit to Goma, the mediators also met representatives of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, known as MONUSCO, humanitarian organisations and members of the mechanisms monitoring compliance with the ceasefire.
Following the meetings, they called on all parties to pursue the Doha negotiations in good faith, respect the ceasefire and cooperate with the bodies responsible for monitoring its implementation.
Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the AFC coalition, which includes the M23 rebel group, said any agreements must be backed by concrete measures that can be verified.
Nangaa also warned that his movement would continue fighting if Congolese government forces attempted to retake Minembwe, an area in South Kivu province that has experienced prolonged fighting.
For the AU mediators, the objective extends beyond reaching a political agreement. They have emphasised the need for tangible improvements in the lives of civilians, including protection from violence, access for humanitarian assistance and the safeguarding of essential services such as schools.
AFC/M23 controls large areas of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces following offensives in early 2025 that brought the major cities of Goma and Bukavu under its control.
The mediators’ latest visit forms part of wider efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict, with implementation of any ceasefire and protection of civilians remaining key challenges.
