(La Nouvelle République)-The President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, received on January 15, 2026 in Lomé the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. This meeting took place in the context of the high-level summit on the situation in the Great Lakes region, scheduled to open on January 17 in the Togolese capital.
Discussions focused on the challenges related to peace and security in Africa, as well as issues of regional development and continental integration. The Chairperson of the AU Commission stated that this visit, conducted shortly after taking office, provided an opportunity to engage with Togolese authorities on the continent’s strategic priorities.
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed the commitment of the African Union Commission to strengthening preventive diplomacy and supporting African-led mediation initiatives. In this regard, he benefited from the guidance of the President of the Council to effectively carry out his mandate, while commending Togo’s role in promoting stability and peace in Africa.
This meeting reflects a convergence of views between Togo and the African Union Commission on major issues of peace and integration. It is part of the ongoing mediation efforts led by President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the AU-appointed mediator for the Great Lakes crisis, and underscores the relevance of holding African consultations on peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Lomé.
Ezeckiel MAATHEY