President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today hosted members of the AU–EAC–SADC panel of facilitators for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) peace process at State House, Entebbe.
The meeting formed part of ongoing regional efforts to advance dialogue and restore stability in Eastern DRC. The panel, on a working visit to Uganda, was chaired by Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo, and brings together former African heads of state mandated to support regional dialogue and strengthen collective action toward sustainable peace.
The panel included Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, and Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic.
President Museveni said the DRC conflict is well understood within the region and should not be allowed to persist, citing its prolonged humanitarian and historical impact on neighbouring countries. He noted that Uganda currently hosts more than 500,000 Congolese refugees, part of nearly two million refugees from the region.
He added that many refugees share ethnic and cultural ties with communities in western and south-western Uganda, underscoring the regional nature of the crisis. The President expressed concern that despite clearly identifiable grievances, progress toward a lasting solution has been slow.
Placing the crisis in historical context, President Museveni recalled earlier debates over Congo’s future, noting that while secessionist discussions have faded, unresolved grievances remain at the heart of the conflict. He emphasized that these can be addressed through sustained dialogue and a realistic understanding of conditions on the ground.
President Gnassingbé thanked President Museveni for hosting the delegation and praised Uganda’s continued commitment to regional peace and stability. He noted that the panel values Museveni’s experience and guidance in addressing complex conflicts on the continent.
Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized that sustainable peace in Eastern DRC requires solutions rooted in African realities, cautioning against overreliance on externally driven approaches. He said the crisis extends beyond the M23 issue and involves multiple unresolved grievances.
The panel, he noted, is committed to African-led solutions while remaining open to constructive international support. He stressed that external partners should play a complementary, not dominant, role in the peace process.
Obasanjo also highlighted the importance of accurately diagnosing the root causes of the conflict, including the management of diversity within the DRC and its relations with neighbouring countries. He welcomed the African Union’s leadership in the process and reiterated the need for Africa to take ownership of its peace and security agenda.
The meeting was attended by senior Ugandan government officials, including ministers, Uganda’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Adonia Ayebare, and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi.
