The African Union (AU) on Saturday appointed Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé as the new mediator in the escalating conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, replacing Angolan President João Lourenço, who had previously led mediation efforts. Gnassingbé’s selection comes amid growing instability in eastern DRC, where Kinshasa accuses Kigali of backing the M23 rebel group, a claim Rwanda denies. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands and worsened regional tensions, despite repeated ceasefire agreements brokered under both Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
The AU hopes Gnassingbé’s involvement will reinvigorate stalled talks and reduce hostilities along the volatile border. However, his appointment has drawn criticism from Togolese civil society and opposition figures, who argue that his own track record on democracy, human rights, and press freedom undermines his credibility as a neutral peacemaker. President Gnassingbé has ruled Togo since 2005, following the death of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who held power for 38 years. His tenure has faced accusations of authoritarianism and suppression of dissent, prompting skepticism over his ability to foster inclusive dialogue in such a sensitive regional conflict.
Despite this, the AU maintains that his experience in diplomacy and regional cooperation, particularly within ECOWAS, makes him a strategic choice to help de-escalate the situation and mediate between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda. No date has been set for the resumption of formal peace talks.
