Global Leaders Demand Women Have a Direct Say in Congo Peace Talks
Kinshasa, 22 September 2026
Global leaders at the UN have launched a joint initiative to ensure women actively negotiate and shape peace agreements in the conflict-torn eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Diplomatic Mobilisation on the Margins of the UN General Assembly
On 21 September 2026, marking the International Day for Peace, senior representatives from the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and European Union (EU) convened a high-level side event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly [1]. Co-chaired by the Republic of Togo, the ‘Together for Peace’ initiative seeks to address the historical underrepresentation of women in formal peace negotiations within the Great Lakes region [1]. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed highlighted today, 22 September 2026, that sustainable peace cannot be achieved while women remain sidelined from ceasefires and treaty implementations, pointing out that women’s participation directly improves the durability and local ownership of peace agreements [2].
Translating Commitments into Structured Action
The diplomatic coalition is moving beyond rhetoric to establish concrete frameworks. UN and AU partners are currently developing mechanisms to systematically include women in the peace processes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the selection of active participants scheduled to take place between 22 September and 13 October 2026 [2]. This structured selection aims to integrate gender-responsive provisions into future peace treaties and expand women’s roles in monitoring ceasefires [1]. EU Special Representative Johan Borgstam emphasised that the EU places the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the core of its Great Lakes strategy, ensuring women act as active architects of peace rather than mere passive beneficiaries [1].
The Harsh Reality on the Ground in Eastern DRC
Despite these high-level diplomatic efforts in New York, the security situation on the ground in eastern DRC remains highly volatile, directly impacting thousands of displaced civilians [3]. Heavy fighting has persisted near Minembwe in South Kivu province, involving the Congolese national army and local Wazalendo groups against the AFC/M23/Twirwaneho rebel coalition [3]. Both sides have accused each other of launching drone strikes against civilian villages, forcing families to flee their homes and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis [3]. For refugees and internally displaced persons, such as those monitoring border safety and security conditions from neighbouring regions, the ongoing violence represents a major barrier to safe repatriation [GPT][3].
A Call for Comprehensive and Inclusive Dialogue
While President Félix Tshisekedi recently announced plans for an upcoming national dialogue, the process will exclude armed groups deemed to be operating outside the Congolese constitution, such as the AFC/M23 rebels [3]. Human rights advocates in Bukavu have stressed that a truly lasting peace requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of displacement and ensures the safety of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children who bear the brunt of the conflict [3]. As international partners push for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, aligning local security realities with high-level diplomatic structures remains the critical challenge for the region [1][2].