Lome, Togo – A regional summit convened in Lome, the capital of Togo, aims to address the ongoing crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The two-day meeting seeks to build upon previous diplomatic efforts and forge a path toward lasting peace and stability in the region.
The summit follows the signing of a peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington D.C. last November. However, diplomatic sources indicate that the Lome meeting will focus on strengthening the peace process within the DRC and the broader Great Lakes region, seeking a comprehensive resolution to the protracted conflict.
The meeting comes shortly after a visit to Lome by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, where he met with his Togolese counterpart, Faure Gnassingbé. President Gnassingbé also serves as the African Union’s mediator for the Great Lakes crisis, highlighting Togo’s central role in facilitating regional dialogue.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the situation on the ground in eastern Congo remains precarious. In early 2025, the M23 rebel group seized control of Goma and Bukavu, key cities in the eastern DRC. In December, the rebels launched a new offensive in the South Kivu province, capturing the town of Uvira. This occurred just weeks after the signing of the Washington peace agreement, raising concerns about the fragility of the commitments made.
Analysts suggest that the Lome summit represents a crucial opportunity to address the root causes of the conflict, ensure the effective implementation of peace agreements, and prevent further escalation of violence. The hope is that a unified regional approach will pave the way for a more stable and prosperous future for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region as a whole.
The success of this summit is vital to achieving a lasting resolution and preventing further instability in the region.
