African Union Holds Talks in Kigali as Fighting Continues in Eastern DRC
Theo Al Jazeera English
The African Union held consultations in Kigali on October 6 as part of efforts to advance the peace process in eastern DRC, where fighting continues despite diplomatic initiatives. A panel of three former African presidents focused on implementing the Washington Peace Agreement, security arrangements, refugee protection and regional economic cooperation, after similar meetings in Goma the previous day.
Kigali, Rwanda – The African Union (AU) 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 aimed at ending the conflict.
According to an AU statement, the October 6 consultation focused on implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, security arrangements, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed forces, refugee protection and regional economic cooperation.
The delegation included former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Zewde is vice-chair of the AU Panel of Facilitators for the eastern DRC peace process.
From Goma to Kigali
The Kigali consultation followed meetings in Goma, eastern DRC, on October 5. According to the AU, the delegation met representatives of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM+) and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23).
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. The panel 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 engagement in Kinshasa as part of efforts to support dialogue and advance the peace process.
Two agreements, separate talks
The consultations take place amid multiple parallel diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. The Washington Peace Agreement, signed by the DRC and Rwanda on June 27, 2025, includes security commitments aimed at addressing concerns over armed groups and the presence of forces in eastern DRC.
Implementation remains the central issue. At a June 2026 meeting of the agreement's Joint Oversight Committee, the parties expressed concern over escalating fighting and called for full implementation of the agreement, including commitments relating to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the withdrawal of forces.
The Washington Agreement is separate from the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed by representatives of the Congolese government and AFC/M23 on November 15, 2025 under Qatari mediation.
The Doha Framework provides the basis for negotiations between the two sides on outstanding issues, including a security agreement and ceasefire monitoring. Further discussions have focused on implementing existing commitments and negotiating the remaining protocols.
The two processes address different aspects of the conflict: the Washington Agreement concerns relations and security commitments between the DRC and Rwanda, while the Doha process covers negotiations between the Congolese government and AFC/M23.
Kinshasa and Kigali remain at odds
Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting AFC/M23, an allegation Kigali denies. In turn, Rwanda accuses the Congolese government of supporting and arming the FDLR, a force it regards as a national security threat.
The Washington Agreement includes a commitment by the DRC to address the FDLR and a commitment by Rwanda to withdraw its forces and remove defensive measures. The parties continue to discuss how these commitments should be implemented and verified.
The continuation of diplomacy reflects the challenges of resolving the conflict, as security commitments and negotiations involving different parties proceed along separate tracks.
The AU consultations in Goma and Kigali are part of a broader mediation effort. Whether these efforts help improve security will depend on whether the parties implement their commitments and remain engaged in the respective peace processes.
