The African Union (AU) has called for inclusive political dialogue, strict adherence to constitutional order, and renewed commitment to peace frameworks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) amid escalating security and political tensions.
In an official declaration issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf urged all Congolese political and social stakeholders to prioritize peaceful engagement, preserve state institutions, and respect the democratic principles set forth in the AU Constitutive Act and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.
The continental body commended President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo’s initiatives to foster national political dialogue, while emphasizing the imperative of protecting the DRC’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. Chairperson Youssouf underscored that all parties must immediately comply with existing ceasefire obligations and honor agreements brokered under the Doha and Washington diplomatic tracks, warning against any actions that could compromise institutional stability or increase risks to civilian populations across the country.
Reaffirming its commitment to regional conflict-resolution mechanisms, the African Union expressed full support for the mediation efforts led by Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, alongside joint facilitating teams from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The AU Commission reiterated its readiness to coordinate closely with regional and international partners to ensure political commitments translate into verifiable security improvements and sustainable peace throughout the DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.
TE/Sf/lb/abj/APA