AU Merges Peace Efforts for DRC as Kigali Faces Pressure

Nairobi, August 1, 2025; In a major diplomatic shift, the African Union (AU) has announced the merger of all regional peace initiatives concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into a unified mechanism. The declaration came at a high-level summit in Nairobi, co-chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto (EAC Chair) and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (SADC Chair), in a bid to finally confront the long-standing crisis in eastern DRC.

This move marks a turning point in African diplomacy, following the collapse of previous peace efforts, notably the Nairobi Process (led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta) and the Luanda Process (facilitated by Angolan President João Lourenço under AU mandate). Both efforts, aimed at resolving the war in the DRC and mediating with Rwanda, failed to stop the violence.

Failed Diplomacy, Sabotaged Peace

The Nairobi Process was originally designed to bring together armed groups operating in eastern Congo, while the Luanda Process sought to broker peace between the DRC and Rwanda, the country widely accused of backing the M23 rebel movement.

However, both initiatives collapsed under pressure. Observers blame Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who is accused of sabotaging peace talks from within the AU by leveraging his influence and allies inside the continental body. Despite the DRC's repeated calls for support, any meaningful resolution has been obstructed by Kigali’s hidden hand, many analysts argue.

DRC Goes Global: UN, Brussels, Doha, and Washington

Frustrated by African inaction, President Félix Tshisekedi turned outward, widening the battlefield to global diplomacy:

• At the UN, he secured Resolution 2773, a landmark vote condemning Rwandan aggression, passed unanimously.

• In Brussels, Congo obtained the lifting of a first wave of sanctions against Kigali.

• In Qatar and Washington, the DRC engaged in active diplomacy to internationalize the conflict and push Rwanda into the spotlight.