On Saturday, April 5, the Bureau of the African Union (AU) Assembly endorsed a proposal to appoint Togo’s President, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, as the new mediator in the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The suggestion was put forward by Angola’s President, Joao Lourenço—who currently holds the AU’s rotating presidency—during a virtual meeting.
According to an official statement, Gnassingbé’s nomination followed prior consultations with him, during which he expressed his willingness to take on the role, pending formal approval by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The Bureau gave its backing, with the final confirmation set to proceed through the AU’s “silence procedure” as outlined in its internal regulations.
Several African leaders participated in the meeting, including President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Burundi’s Vice President Prosper Bazombanza, as well as representatives from Tanzania and the African Union Commission.
President Lourenço emphasized the dire humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC and the broader regional implications of the conflict. He praised recent progress, particularly the alignment of the Nairobi and Luanda peace initiatives, now under the guidance of African mediators appointed by SADC and the East African Community (EAC).
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf commended President Lourenço’s dedication and confirmed that the Commission would handle the administrative and technical aspects needed to finalize Gnassingbé’s appointment, in coordination with the upcoming mediation roadmap.
The African Union reiterated its strong commitment to achieving a lasting solution to the crisis in the DRC and urged all involved parties to participate constructively, upholding the principles of African unity and solidarity.
