Obasanjo, who co-chairs the Panel of Facilitators for the eastern DRC peace process alongside former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, was appointed in March during a joint summit of heads of state from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as part of a five-member team of former African leaders tasked with steering dialogue in the region.
During his meeting with President Tshisekedi, Obasanjo reaffirmed his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to the prolonged armed conflict in eastern DRC.
'The discussions I had with my two brothers from Rwanda and the DRC are on the right track," Obasanjo said.
His remarks came after a high-level meeting with President Kagame in Kigali a day earlier.
Obasanjo and his team of facilitators are working to mediate between the Congolese government and armed groups, including the AFC-M23 rebels.
The team's mandate includes promoting direct dialogue, coordinating international peace efforts, and ensuring the implementation of measures such as the disbandment of the FDLR militia linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The FDLR continues to collaborate with the Kinshasa administration, a situation that has contributed to ongoing tensions with Kigali.
Obasanjo is expected to proceed to Lomé, Togo, where he will report to Faure Gnassingbé, who was appointed by the African Union as an additional mediator in the Rwandaâ€"DRC conflict.
'We have a mediator named by the African Union, Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Council of Ministers. I will travel to Lomé to present my report and consider what needs to be done to achieve lasting peace in the region,' Obasanjo said.
Parallel to the efforts of African mediators, international actors, including Qatar and the United States have been supporting complementary peace initiatives.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
