The African Union (AU) Panel of Facilitators has called for renewed political engagement, respect for ceasefire commitments and protection of civilians following consultations with key actors in Goma in eastern DR Congo. The delegation, led by former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and comprising former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, held consultations with leaders of the AFC/M23 movement on Monday, October 5, as part of the AU-led efforts to advance a political solution to the conflict. ALSO READ: AU facilitators meet AFC/M23 leaders in Goma The AU Panel of Facilitators engages parties and other stakeholders, supports dialogue and helps coordinate the different peace initiatives seeking to end the conflict and restore stability in the region. In Goma, the delegation met AFC/M23 leaders as well as officials from the UN security mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+). ALSO READ: Nduhungirehe, Kenyatta discuss peace efforts for DR Congo The consultations allowed the facilitators to hear views on the peace process, the security and humanitarian situation and measures needed to build confidence among the parties. “The Panel reaffirmed that lasting peace requires political dialogue and encouraged continued engagement in good faith in the Doha process,” they said in a statement on Wednesday, October 7, referring to the Qatar-mediated peace talks between the AFC/M23 and the Congolese government. ALSO READ: DR Congo crisis: What's the main challenge facing AU mediators? The facilitators also addressed issue of the implementation of the ceasefire, urging parties to work with the mechanisms established to monitor and verify violations. “The Panel called for strict respect for ceasefire commitments, full cooperation with verification mechanisms, and restraint from actions that could undermine the peace process,” they said. The Goma consultations form part of the wider African-led peace efforts, which include the Doha and Washington tracks addressing different aspects of the conflict. The Doha process focuses on the internal Congolese conflict, bringing AFC/M23 and the government of DR Congo into dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict and seek a political settlement. The AU supports the process through its mediation and facilitation structures, including mechanisms for monitoring the ceasefire. The Washington process addresses security and political grievances between Rwanda and DR Congo. The Washington Accords of December 4, 2025 provide for the neutralisation of the Kinshasa-backed FDLR genocidal militia and the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures against the threat posed by the group. The AU is a guarantor of the Washington process alongside Qatar and the United States, with implementation overseen through a Joint Oversight Committee. Beyond the political and security discussions, civilian protection emerged as another concern for the facilitators. The panel called for urgent measures to protect civilians, particularly women and girls, prevent sexual and gender-based violence and ensure accountability for violations. It also called for safe and unhindered humanitarian access and protection of essential services and educational facilities. The Panel underscored that these commitments must translate into tangible improvements for affected communities, the statement said, adding that the outcomes of the consultations will be conveyed to the AU mediator Faure Gnassingbé, the President of Togo, as well as Kinshasa, as they continue engaging stakeholders to build confidence and advance the peace process. The Goma mission came a day before Kenyatta met with Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe in Kigali on Tuesday. The two discussed the work of the AU Panel of Facilitators and ongoing efforts to advance peace in the region.
