GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo – The African Union pressed Congo’s government and AFC/M23 on Wednesday to honour ceasefire commitments, protect civilians and keep the Doha peace process alive as fighting continued across eastern Congo.
The AU Panel of Facilitators released the statement after consultations in rebel-held Goma. Former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde led the delegation, joined by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
The three held discussions with AFC/M23 leaders, United Nations officials, humanitarian agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and regional ceasefire monitors.
The AU said political dialogue must drive any durable settlement. The panel urged both sides to respect ceasefire commitments, cooperate with verification teams and avoid military actions capable of derailing negotiations.
Mediators also demanded safe humanitarian access and stronger protection for women, girls, schools and essential services.
The statement gives fresh political weight to a peace process struggling to produce security on the ground. Congo’s government and AFC/M23 signed a declaration in Doha in July 2025, committing themselves to a permanent ceasefire and negotiations toward a broader peace agreement.
Progress since then has included detainee releases and deployment of teams monitoring ceasefire implementation.
Fighting has continued despite those steps.
Recent clashes have centred on remote parts of South Kivu’s highlands and Masisi territory in North Kivu. Civilians continue to carry the heaviest burden through displacement, lost livelihoods, disrupted schooling and restricted access to medical care.
AFC/M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka welcomed the AU mission earlier this week as part of what he called “ongoing efforts towards a political, lasting and African resolution” of the conflict.
After the Goma stop, Kenyatta travelled to Kigali for consultations with Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.
Nduhungirehe described their exchange as “productive talks” focused on the eastern Congo peace process.
Kanyuka later accused forces aligned with Kinshasa of fresh ceasefire violations.
“This mission comes as the Kinshasa regime continues to violate the ceasefire, while its attacks target civilian populations,” he said.
Congolese authorities have repeatedly accused AFC/M23 of violating ceasefire commitments and expanding territory while negotiations continue. Claims from both sides require independent verification.
The AU panel avoided endorsing either side’s battlefield accusations. Mediators concentrated on obligations both parties already accepted through diplomatic processes.
Verification now sits at the centre of the next political phase.
Eastern Congo has several overlapping peace tracks.
Doha addresses direct negotiations between Kinshasa and AFC/M23. A separate Washington process addresses relations between Congo and Rwanda. African Union diplomacy seeks greater coordination between regional and continental initiatives.
Rwanda’s role sits at the centre of the dispute.
United Nations experts and Congolese authorities accuse Kigali of supporting AFC/M23. Rwanda rejects accusations of controlling the movement and points to security threats linked to armed groups operating in eastern Congo, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda.
The AU delegation met Rwanda’s foreign minister after leaving Goma. The delegation also plans consultations with Congolese authorities in Kinshasa.
Such shuttle diplomacy gives the panel direct access to rebel leaders, Kigali and the Congolese government during one mission.
For Kinshasa, the political challenge involves defending territorial sovereignty while negotiating with an armed movement controlling major population centres and large areas of North and South Kivu.
For AFC/M23, negotiations place pressure on leaders to translate ceasefire commitments into measurable restraint on the battlefield.
Goma carries special importance.
AFC/M23 seized the eastern city during its major 2025 offensive, delivering one of Kinshasa’s biggest territorial losses during the conflict. The city now functions as a major political and administrative centre across territory under rebel control.
An AU delegation entering Goma and holding direct consultations with rebel leaders creates diplomatic access while raising sensitivity in Kinshasa over sovereignty and political recognition.
The AU statement addressed this concern by reaffirming Congo’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
Mediators also insisted political agreements must produce concrete improvements for affected communities.
Eastern Congo has experienced repeated peace initiatives without lasting security. Agreements lose public credibility when armed clashes continue, displaced families fail to return home and humanitarian access stays restricted.
The current process needs measurable benchmarks.
Ceasefire monitors need access to contested zones. Parties need agreed reporting channels for alleged violations. Humanitarian agencies need secure routes. Political negotiators need timelines covering disengagement, prisoner issues, territorial administration and security guarantees.
Regional diplomacy also needs coordination.
Congo’s conflict crosses borders through refugee movements, armed-group networks, trade routes and security disputes. Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda all hold direct interests in eastern Congo’s stability.
Poor coordination among peace initiatives risks producing conflicting commitments or opportunities for parties to delay implementation.
For African governments, the AU mission also tests continental ownership of conflict resolution.
Outside powers remain involved through Washington and Doha. The panel’s composition gives African mediation political experience from former heads of state with backgrounds in regional diplomacy, elections and security.
Access alone does not equal progress.
The panel now needs compliance from armed actors and governments. Verification mechanisms need freedom of movement. Civilians need protection from attacks, sexual violence, forced displacement and disruption of basic services.
The statement also arrives while competing battlefield narratives continue.
AFC/M23 alleged new attacks around Shanje and Rugezi on Wednesday. Independent confirmation remained limited at publication time.
Such claims underline the importance of neutral monitoring. Peace negotiations lose credibility when every military incident becomes a propaganda contest without trusted verification.
The next stage moves toward Kinshasa.
The facilitators plan consultations with the Congolese government before reporting outcomes to the AU mediator. Those discussions will test whether both sides accept stronger ceasefire monitoring and continued Doha engagement.
For readers across Africa, the central issue is political accountability.
Leaders involved in the process have already signed commitments. The measure now lies in implementation, civilian protection and reduced fighting.
The African Union has delivered its latest position. Dialogue must continue. Ceasefire obligations must hold. Verification teams need cooperation. Humanitarian corridors need protection.
Eastern Congo now needs signed commitments translated into conduct on the ground.
