Diplomacy/ Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé gains International praise as AU Mediator in DRC crisis
President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo is earning growing international recognition for his active diplomacy as the African Union’s chief mediator in the protracted crisis plaguing eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Togolese leader’s sustained peace efforts have positioned him as a pivotal figure in regional conflict resolution, with his latest high-level consultations in August underscoring this strategic role.
Building consensus through dialogue
President Gnassingbé recently hosted UN Special Envoy Huang Xia for the Great Lakes region in Lomé ; their second meeting since April to align international mediation efforts.
This follows his crucial May initiative that convened the Facilitators’ Panel for the Rwanda-DRC crisis, establishing a framework for coordinated action among stakeholders including neighboring states, armed groups, and international organizations.
Regional recognition
The AU-led mediation gained further momentum during the August 1 Nairobi summit where East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) representatives acknowledged President Gnassingbé’s central role.
Huang Xia emphasized that “all peace initiatives must converge around this AU mediation,” endorsing the Togolese leader’s approach as the primary channel for conflict resolution.
Pragmatic leadership
What distinguishes President Gnassingbé’s mediation is his hands-on, inclusive methodology:
- Maintaining open dialogue channels with all conflict parties
- Preventing fragmented peace efforts through centralized coordination
- Bridging regional organizations’ initiatives with UN frameworks
The international community increasingly views this sustained, consensus-building approach as the most viable path to ending decades of instability in eastern DRC.
With full backing from both African institutions and the United Nations, President Gnassingbé’s mediation continues gaining traction as the continent seeks homegrown solutions to its most intractable conflicts.
Kodjovi MAKAFUI
