Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta took part virtually in a significant African Union (AU) meeting on July 25, 2026, focusing on restoring peace and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The High-Level Harmonisation Meeting of the AU Panel of Facilitators for the Eastern DRC Peace Process and the Independent Joint Secretariat (IJS) was convened in Gaborone, Botswana. It gathered former heads of state including Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, and Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana.
Representatives from the AU, Southern African Development Community (SADC), East African Community (EAC), International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Qatar, and the United States also participated, underscoring broad regional and international support for the peace efforts.
Key outcomes from the meeting included:
- Reaffirmation of commitment to improved coordination among stakeholders.
- Acceleration of implementation of agreed peace initiatives.
- Support for the AU-led mediation process aiming for an inclusive and coordinated resolution.
The leaders emphasised the urgency of ending the protracted conflict that has destabilised eastern DRC and caused a severe humanitarian crisis. Kenyatta’s involvement continues his active role in regional peace efforts, building on his previous work as the East African Community facilitator in the Nairobi Process before the AU harmonised mediation frameworks.
This meeting highlights ongoing momentum among African leaders and international partners to consolidate diplomatic efforts toward a sustainable peace in the eastern DRC.
