African Union holds Kigali talks as fighting continues in eastern DRC

The African Union has held consultations in Kigali as part of efforts to advance the peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where fighting continues despite ongoing diplomacy. The talks took place on 6 October and focused on implementing the Washington Peace Agreement, according to an AU statement. The delegation also discussed security arrangements, refugee protection and regional economic cooperation.

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The AU said the delegation was made up of former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Zewde serves as deputy chairperson of the AU Panel of Facilitators for the eastern DRC peace process. The facilitators met representatives of MONUSCO, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus and the AFC/M23 group.

The consultations in Kigali followed meetings in Goma on 5 October. After 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 the protection of refugees and returnees, as well as mineral traceability, cross-border trade, energy and infrastructure. The talks matter because eastern DRC remains one of the region's most persistent security crises, with diplomacy continuing alongside active conflict.

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The Washington Peace Agreement, signed by the DRC and Rwanda on 27 June 2025, was intended to address security concerns linked to the armed conflict and to support wider stabilisation efforts. The latest consultations show that regional and international actors are still trying to keep the process moving despite continuing violence on the ground. The AU panel's role places former heads of state at the centre of a delicate mediation effort involving Congolese, Rwandan, regional and humanitarian actors.

Their meetings with MONUSCO, OCHA, the ICRC and AFC/M23 indicate that the process is not limited to government-to-government diplomacy. It also includes humanitarian access, civilian protection and verification of commitments, all of which are central to whether any agreement can hold. The facilitators said they would continue their engagements in Kinshasa as part of efforts to support dialogue and advance the peace process.

What remains unclear is whether the ceasefire commitments will be respected and whether the parties will cooperate with verification mechanisms. The next stage of talks will be watched for signs of progress on security, refugee protection and the wider implementation of the Washington agreement.

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