GABORONE, Botswana — Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen peace talks come and go for years. Yet violence continues, millions remain displaced, and communities keep paying the price.
The African Union believes one reason is clear: too many peace initiatives have been working separately instead of together.
Now, the AU is trying a different approach.
Meeting in Gaborone, Botswana, the AU Panel of Facilitators adopted a six-month roadmap that brings regional and international peace efforts under one coordinated plan.
The meeting was co-hosted by the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Government of Botswana. It brought together a panel of former African leaders, including Olusegun Obasanjo, Sahle-Work Zewde, Uhuru Kenyatta, Mokgweetsi Masisi and Catherine Samba-Panza.
Instead of creating another mediation process, the roadmap connects existing efforts led by the African Union, the East African Community (EAC), SADC and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). It also aligns these regional initiatives with ongoing international mediation in Washington and Doha.
Panel Chair Olusegun Obasanjo said lasting peace will only be possible if regional organizations work together and act with one purpose.
The roadmap identifies seven priority areas. These include strengthening ceasefire monitoring, reopening dialogue with armed groups, expanding humanitarian access, tackling the illegal trade in natural resources that finances conflict, promoting reconciliation, involving women and young people in peacebuilding, and improving joint political analysis to guide decision-making.
Eastern DRC has endured decades of conflict driven by armed groups, competition over mineral resources and recurring humanitarian crises. Millions of people have been forced from their homes, while repeated peace efforts have delivered only limited results.
The AU hopes this coordinated approach will close the gaps between existing initiatives and improve implementation on the ground.
The roadmap will now be submitted to AU Mediator President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo for endorsement before another harmonization meeting later this year in Arusha, Tanzania.
For families living through the conflict, success will not be measured by another agreement. It will be measured by safer communities, fewer displaced people and lasting peace.