The African Union is holding Kigali talks as fighting continues in eastern Congo

Three former African presidents discuss security commitments, refugee protection and regional cooperation.

Kigali, Rwanda – The African Union (AU) has held consultations in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of efforts to advance the peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where fighting continues despite diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict.

The African Union said in a statement that the consultations, held on October 6, focused on the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, security arrangements, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants, refugee protection and regional economic cooperation.

The delegation consisted of former President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Workzode, former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, and former President of Botswana, Mokgwetsi Masisi. Zode is the deputy of the African Union panel of facilitators for the Eastern Congo peace process.

The Kigali consultations followed meetings in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on October 5. According to the AU, the delegation met with representatives of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the ExpandedJM Plusint). Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23).

Following the Goma meetings, the African Union panel called for respect for ceasefire commitments, cooperation with verification mechanisms and refraining from actions that could undermine the peace process. He also emphasized the need to protect civilians, ensure safe humanitarian access and prevent sexual and gender-based violence.

In Kigali, facilitators held separate consultations with Rwandan officials and representatives of regional institutions. The African Union said the talks will cover security commitments, protection of refugees and returnees, and regional economic cooperation, including mineral traceability, cross-border trade, energy and infrastructure.

Facilitators said they would continue their engagement in Kinshasa as part of efforts to support dialogue and advance the peace process.

The consultations come amid parallel diplomatic efforts to address the dispute. The Washington Peace Agreement, signed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on June 27, 2025, includes security commitments aimed at addressing concerns about armed groups and troop presence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Implementation remains a major issue. At the June 2026 Joint Monitoring Committee meeting of the agreement, the parties expressed concern over the escalation of the war and called for the full implementation of the agreement, including commitments on the Forces for the Democratic Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and troop withdrawal.

The Washington agreement is separate from the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which was signed on November 15, 2025 by representatives of the Congolese government and the AFC/M23, brokered by Qatar.

The Doha Framework provides a basis for negotiations between the two sides on remaining issues, including security arrangements and monitoring of the ceasefire. Subsequent discussions focused on the implementation of existing commitments and the negotiation of remaining protocols.

The two processes address different aspects of the conflict: the Washington Agreement addresses relations and security commitments between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, while the Doha Process addresses negotiations between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23.

Kingasa accuses Rwanda of supporting the AFC/M23, a claim Kigali denies. Rwanda, in turn, accuses the Congolese government of supporting and arming the FDLR, which it considers a threat to its national security.

The Washington agreement includes commitments by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to address the FDLR and Rwanda regarding the disengagement of its forces and the lifting of defense measures. The parties have continued to discuss how to implement and verify these commitments.

The continued diplomatic engagement reflects the challenges facing efforts to resolve the conflict, with security commitments and negotiations involving different parties moving in separate directions.

The African Union's consultations in Goma and Kigali are part of its broader mediation efforts. Whether these efforts contribute to improving security depends on the implementation of the parties' commitments and continued participation in the relevant peace processes.