Former Botswana President Leading African Union Peace Efforts in Eastern Congo Crisis
Addis Ababa, 3 March 2026
Mokgweetsi Masisi briefed AU leadership on mediation progress in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where ongoing M23 rebel conflicts have displaced millions. The former president highlighted urgent humanitarian needs affecting women and children whilst coordinating with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé’s mediation efforts. Recent developments include drone attacks on Kisangani airport and continued fighting despite ceasefire agreements, making the AU’s African-led peace process increasingly critical for regional stability.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
On Tuesday afternoon, 3 March 2026, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf received former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi at AU headquarters [1]. The meeting focused on President Masisi’s role as the African Union Facilitator for the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo process, where he provided a comprehensive briefing on recent diplomatic progress [1]. During the discussions, President Masisi outlined his recent engagements with regional leaders and commended all parties for their constructive spirit and renewed commitment to dialogue [1]. The former president emphasised the shared resolve amongst stakeholders to advance a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the deteriorating situation in eastern DRC [1].
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
President Masisi underscored the urgent humanitarian dimensions of the crisis, drawing particular attention to the plight of displaced populations, including vulnerable groups such as women and school-aged children [1]. The briefing highlighted the imperative of aligning political dialogue with scaled-up humanitarian support and confidence-building measures on the ground [1]. This comes as the region continues to experience significant displacement, with recent fighting between M23 rebels and government forces creating new waves of refugees and internally displaced persons [3]. The humanitarian situation has been compounded by ongoing violence throughout early 2026, including attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure that have forced thousands to flee their homes [3].
AU Mediation Architecture Under Pressure
The African Union unveiled its comprehensive mediation architecture for the eastern DRC crisis on 16-17 January 2026, led by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé [3]. The framework appointed five former African heads of state as co-facilitators: Oluṣẹgun Ọbasanjọ, Sahle-Work Zewde, Uhuru Kenyatta, Mokgweetsi Masisi, and Catherine Samba-Panza [3]. Chairperson Youssouf expressed appreciation for President Masisi’s tireless diplomatic engagements and reaffirmed the African Union’s steadfast support for the facilitation and mediation architecture [1]. Both leaders conveyed profound appreciation to President Gnassingbé for his leadership, personal commitment, and dedication of resources to advance the mediation process [1].
Security Deterioration Threatens Peace Process
Despite diplomatic efforts, security conditions in eastern DRC have deteriorated significantly in recent weeks. On 1 March 2026, Kisangani’s Bangboka International Airport was targeted in drone attacks, with one drone intercepted around 3 p.m., followed by three additional ‘kamikaze’ drones neutralised between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. [3]. The Tshopo provincial government blamed Rwanda and its M23 allies for the attacks [3]. These incidents follow a pattern of escalating violence, including the killing of M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma on 24 February 2026 during strikes in Rubaya [3]. The continued fighting has occurred despite the signing of the Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification Mechanism mandate between the Congolese government and AFC-M23 in Doha on 2 February 2026 [3]. The African Union condemned the airport attacks on 6 February 2026, warning against the spread of hostilities to cities far from the front lines [3]. The meeting between Chairperson Youssouf and President Masisi reaffirmed the African Union’s collective resolve to work in close coordination with regional leaders and partners to promote stability, protect civilians, and secure durable peace in eastern DRC [1].