Congolese officials met an African Union facilitators panel in Kinshasa to discuss mediation efforts aimed at ending the security crisis in eastern DR Congo….reports Africa Daily News Desk
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has held talks with an African Union (AU) facilitators panel in Kinshasa as part of ongoing mediation efforts to achieve a peaceful and lasting resolution to the security crisis in the country’s east.
The discussions took place on Friday, October 9, 2026, following a meeting between Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and members of the panel, who are visiting the country as part of the AU’s mediation efforts.
Wagner, Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Francophonie and Congolese Diaspora, welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Congolese government and wished its members success in their mission.
She reaffirmed the DRC’s commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace that would ensure security and stability across the region.
The facilitators panel included former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, who serves as the panel’s vice-president; former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta; former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi; and former Central African Republic President Catherine Samba-Panza.
Yackoley Kokou Johnson, Delegate Minister to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Togo, also participated as the representative of the African Union mediator.
Following the meeting with Wagner, the panel held a working session with a Congolese government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo Bihango.
The meeting was also attended by Regional Integration Minister Floribert Anzuluni, Désiré Cashmir Eberande Kolongele, special adviser to the president on security matters, and Sumbu Sita Mambu, high representative of the head of state.
The working session focused on ongoing mediation efforts and prospects for strengthening diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring peace, security and stability in eastern DR Congo and the wider Great Lakes region.
The engagement forms part of continuing efforts to resolve the security crisis through dialogue and diplomatic cooperation, with the African Union facilitators working to support a peaceful and durable settlement.
