Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has joined calls for strict adherence to ceasefire commitments in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the African Union steps up efforts to advance a political solution to the conflict.
Kenyatta was part of a delegation of the AU Panel of Facilitators that held consultations in Goma on Monday, October 5, as part of the African Union-led mediation efforts for the Eastern DRC Peace Process.
The delegation was led by former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and also included former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
During the consultations, the delegation met representatives of the United Nations Organization 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 Plus (EJVM) and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23).
The consultations focused on the peace process, the security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC and measures that could help build confidence among the parties involved.
The Panel reaffirmed that lasting peace would require political dialogue and urged continued engagement in good faith through the Doha process.
It also called on parties to strictly respect ceasefire commitments, cooperate fully with verification mechanisms and avoid actions that could undermine ongoing peace efforts.
The AU delegation’s visit to Goma came as part of a broader roadmap adopted by the Panel of Facilitators in July to guide efforts to advance the eastern DRC peace process during the second half of 2026.
The roadmap identifies several priority areas, including political dialogue, military and security issues, humanitarian access, engagement with armed groups, regional economic cooperation, reconciliation and the participation of women and young people.
The Panel also raised concerns over the humanitarian situation, stressing the need to protect civilians, particularly women and girls, and prevent sexual and gender-based violence.
It called for accountability for violations and urged authorities and other actors to facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
The facilitators further called for the protection of essential services and educational facilities affected by the conflict.
The Panel reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the DRC, saying peace efforts must ultimately result in tangible improvements for communities affected by the conflict.
The AU delegation’s meeting with AFC/M23 representatives in Goma was the first such high-level engagement by the Panel in the city since it fell under the control of the armed coalition in January 2025, according to reports.
The consultations did not result in a publicly announced agreement or timetable for further negotiations, with the discussions instead forming part of the wider mediation and confidence-building process.
The Panel said it will present the outcomes of the Goma consultations to the AU Mediator and the Government of the DRC as it continues efforts to strengthen civilian protection, build confidence and advance the peace process.
