The roadmap, developed by the AU Panel of Facilitators and the Independent Joint Secretariat (IJS) for the Eastern DRC Peace Process, outlines priority actions from July to December 2026 to strengthen mediation, improve coordination and support the implementation of existing peace commitments.

The meeting brought together the AU Panel of Facilitators, chaired by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, alongside former leaders including Ethiopia’s former President Sahle-Work Zewde, Botswana’s former President Mokgweetsi E. Masisi, Kenya’s former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Central African Republic President Catherine Samba-Panza, and representatives of the AU Mediator.

The adopted roadmap focuses on key areas including political analysis, military and security matters, humanitarian access, dialogue with armed groups, regional economic cooperation, natural resources, civil society engagement, reconciliation, women and youth participation.

It will provide a framework for the AU Panel of Facilitators and the IJS to support the AU Mediator’s engagements with parties involved in the conflict, while improving coordination with other diplomatic efforts, including the Washington and Doha peace processes.

The plan also introduces mechanisms for measuring progress, regular reporting, joint analysis, field-level engagement, resource mobilization and stronger cooperation with regional and international partners.

The high-level meeting was preceded on July 24 by a technical preparatory session organized by the African Union Commission, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the IJS and AU special representatives in the region, with support from Botswana’s government and international partners.

H.E. Yackoley Kokou-Johnson, Representative of the AU Mediator, highlighted the need to strengthen confidence in the mediation process through practical actions, recalling conclusions from the Lomé evaluation meeting.

“While calling for enhanced coordination, with the Washington and Doha processes,” the AU statement said, the meeting stressed the importance of stronger cooperation among peace initiatives.

AU Panel Chair Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized the need for practical measures to encourage commitment and compliance from parties and stakeholders involved in the peace process.

The meeting also called for flexible and timely financing, improved administrative and travel arrangements, and stronger analytical, logistical, documentation, security and field support to ensure the roadmap’s implementation.

The AU Commission thanked SADC for co-hosting the meeting and reaffirmed its role in supporting peace and security efforts in the DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.

It also recognized contributions from the Government of Botswana, EAC, ICGLR, IJS, invited experts, Qatar, the United States and other international partners for supporting the AU-led mediation process.

The Panel of Facilitators agreed to submit the Six-Month Roadmap and Operational Action Plan to the AU Mediator for endorsement, with the next harmonisation session expected to take place before the end of 2026 in Arusha, Tanzania.