AU Holds Kigali Consultations on Eastern DRC Peace Efforts

The African Union has held consultations in Kigali as it seeks to advance the peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where fighting continues despite diplomatic efforts.

The October 6 discussions brought together former African presidents and representatives of regional institutions to consider the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, security arrangements, the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of fighters, refugee protection and regional economic cooperation.

The delegation was led by Sahle-Work Zewde, former president of Ethiopia and deputy chairperson of the AU Panel of Facilitators for the eastern DRC peace process. It also included former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Consultations in Kigali and Goma

According to the African Union, the Kigali consultations followed meetings held in Goma on October 5. In Kigali, the facilitators held separate discussions with Rwandan officials and representatives of regional institutions.

During the Goma meetings, the AU delegation met representatives of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement.

The meetings formed part of wider AU mediation efforts involving the parties and institutions connected to the conflict and the peace process.

Calls for restraint and civilian protection

The AU Panel of Facilitators called for compliance with ceasefire commitments, cooperation with verification mechanisms and restraint from actions that could damage the peace process.

The panel also identified civilian protection and safe humanitarian access as priorities. It stressed the need to prevent sexual and gender-based violence during the continuing conflict.

Discussions in Kigali also covered the protection of refugees and returnees, alongside possible areas of regional economic cooperation. These included mineral traceability, cross-border trade, energy and infrastructure.

Two diplomatic tracks

The consultations took place against the background of two separate diplomatic processes addressing different aspects of the conflict.

The Washington Peace Agreement was signed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on June 27, 2025. It addresses relations and security commitments between the two countries, including provisions concerning the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. The agreement also includes commitments related to the disengagement of forces and Rwanda’s lifting of defensive measures.

A separate Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed on November 15, 2025, by representatives of the Congolese government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement under Qatar’s mediation. That framework provides a basis for negotiations on outstanding issues, including security arrangements and ceasefire monitoring.

Implementation and verification of commitments under the agreements remain under discussion. At a June 2026 meeting of the Washington agreement’s Joint Oversight Committee, the parties expressed concern about escalating fighting and called for full implementation.

Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting AFC/M23, an allegation Kigali denies. Rwanda, in turn, accuses the Congolese government of supporting and arming the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, which it regards as a threat to its national security. The allegations have not been independently verified.

The facilitators said they would continue their engagements in Kinshasa to support dialogue and advance the peace process.