African Union holds Kigali talks as fighting continues in eastern DRC

Three former African presidents discussed security commitments, refugee protection and regional cooperation. Save Share Kigali, Rwanda –The African Union (AU) has held consultations in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of efforts to advance the peace process in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where fighting continues despite diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict. The consultations, held on October 6, focused on implementing the Washington Peace Agreement, security arrangements, the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of fighters, refugee protection and regional economic cooperation, the AU said in a statement. The delegation comprised former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Zewde is the deputy chairperson of the AU Panel of Facilitators for the eastern DRC peace process. The Kigali consultations followed meetings in Goma, eastern DRC, on October 5. According to the AU, the delegation met representatives of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+) and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23). Following the Goma meetings, the AU panel called for respect for ceasefire commitments, cooperation with verification mechanisms and restraint from actions that could undermine the peace process. It also stressed the need to protect civilians, ensure safe humanitarian access and prevent sexual and gender-based violence. In Kigali, the facilitators held separate consultations with Rwandan officials and representatives of regional institutions. The AU said the discussions covered security commitments, the protection of refugees and returnees, and regional economic cooperation, including mineral traceability, cross-border trade, energy and infrastructure. The facilitators said they would continue their engagements in Kinshasa as part of efforts to support dialogue and advance the peace process. The consultations come amid parallel diplomatic efforts to address the conflict. The Washington Peace Agreement, signed by the DRC and Rwanda on June 27, 2025, includes security commitments intended to address concerns over armed groups and the presence of forces in eastern DRC. Implementation remains a central issue.....