The Southern African Improvement Group (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the Authorities of Botswana co-hosted the Excessive-Stage Harmonisation Assembly of the AU Panel of Facilitators and the Unbiased Joint Secretariat (IJS) on the peace course of for the Japanese Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Gaborone, Botswana, from 24 to 26 July 2026.
The assembly was led by His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and Chairperson of the AU Panel of Facilitators. He highlighted the necessity for stronger cooperation among the many African Union, SADC, the East African Group (, and different regional entities. He urged the contributors to develop sensible suggestions to hurry up the implementation of present peace agreements and reaffirmed the dedication to African-led options for African issues.
The Minister of Worldwide Relations of the Republic of Botswana, Honourable Dr. Phenyo Butale, emphasised the important significance of peace and stability within the Democratic Republic of Congo. He identified that guaranteeing peace within the DRC is important for regional integration, cross-border commerce, financial growth, and reaching the targets of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
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On his half, the Director of the Organ on Politics, Protection, and Safety Affairs on the SADC Secretariat, Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, representing the SADC Government Secretary, reaffirmed SADC’s dedication to supporting regional efforts to revive peace and safety in jap DRC. He noticed that, though progress has been made in creating an Africa-led peace framework, the escalating safety challenges, ongoing violations of ceasefire agreements, worsening humanitarian circumstances, and rising public well being points demand renewed dedication and enhanced institutional coordination amongst all stakeholders. He urged actors to be taught from previous interventions and give you sensible suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of the AU-led mediation efforts.
Contributors on the assembly reiterated the dedication of the SADC, AU and EAC, and different companions to boost collaboration in help of the AU-led mediation framework. The gathering highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue, synchronised execution of established peace initiatives, and protracted engagement with all stakeholders to advertise lasting peace, safety, and stability in jap DRC and the broader Nice Lakes Area.
The assembly is a part of the AU-led mediation framework, geared toward unifying regional peace efforts, enhancing coordination amongst mediators, and backing current peace agreements by way of ongoing political dialogue and joint motion. The discussions centred on aligning mediation initiatives, enhancing the Unbiased Joint Secretariat’s institutional setup, reviewing thematic priorities, and making a six-month strategic roadmap together with an operational motion plan to advance the peace course of.
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The assembly introduced collectively the African-led peace mediation structure in jap DRC, together with the AU Mediator, His Excellency Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo, represented by H.E. Yackoley Kokou-Johnson, Minister Delegate to the Minister of International Affairs; the AU Panel of Facilitators; and the Unbiased Joint Secretariat (IJS), which incorporates specialists from the African Union Fee (AUC), SADC Secretariat, and East African Group (EAC) Secretariat.
The assembly additionally included members whose management and mediation expertise contribute to ongoing efforts for lasting peace within the area. These included the AU Panel of Facilitators, former President of Botswana, His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, former President of Ethiopian, Her Excellency Sahle-Work Zewde, former President of the Central African Republic Her Excellency Catherine Samba-Panza, and AU Chairperson of the Panel of the Clever, former President of Burundi, His Excellency Domitien Ndayizeye.
SADC continues to collaborate intently with the African Union, the EAC, the Worldwide Convention on the Nice Lakes Area (ICGLR), and all related events to help Africa-driven initiatives centered on making a peaceable, safe, and affluent area.