Over the weekend, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, H.E. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, participated in a high-level meeting held in Lomé on strengthening coherence and consolidating the African-led peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region.

The strategic meeting was presided over by H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Togolese Republic, who also serves as the African Union (AU) Mediator for the resolution of the crisis in the Great Lakes region. 

The meeting brought together prominent African leaders and key stakeholders, including H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, as well as members of the AU Panel of Facilitators. 

The panel comprises former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, former President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, former President Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, and former President Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, alongside several other actors involved in the peace process.

In his statement, Minister Nduhungirehe underscored the importance of safeguarding the progress achieved through diplomatic engagement. He noted that, “at the beginning of 2026, it is important to underscore that the diplomatic gains achieved in 2025 are significant, irreversible, and must therefore be preserved.” 

He further expressed Rwanda’s hope that the exchanges in Lomé would help strengthen the African Union’s mediation architecture, in support of ongoing efforts undertaken in Washington and Doha.

On the margins of the meeting, Minister Nduhungirehe held a series of bilateral engagements with key international partners. 

He met with Mr. Huang Xia, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, with discussions focusing on the prevailing security situation in the region.

The Minister also met with Ms. Vivian Van de Perre, Acting Head of Mission of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Their exchange centred on developments and challenges in Eastern DRC.

In addition, Minister Nduhungirehe held talks with Ambassador Johan Borgstam, the European Union Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region. 

The two officials exchanged views on recent regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.