Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta virtually joined fellow African leaders on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in a high-level meeting aimed at strengthening efforts to restore peace and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Kenyatta attended the High-Level Harmonisation Meeting of the African Union (AU) Panel of Facilitators for the Eastern DRC Peace Process and the Independent Joint Secretariat (IJS) implementation meeting virtually.

The meeting, held in Gaborone, Botswana, brought together the AU Panel of Facilitators, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, former Central African Republic President Catherine Samba-Panza, and former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

“Former President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier today virtually attended a High-Level Harmonization Meeting of the AU Panel of Facilitators for the Eastern DRC Peace Process and the Independent Joint Secretariat (IJS) Implementation of the Eastern DRC Peace Process,” the statement read.

AU representatives

Representatives from the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the State of Qatar, and the United States also participated, highlighting broad regional and international backing for the peace initiative.

According to a statement shared after the meeting, participants reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing coordination among all stakeholders and accelerating the implementation of agreed peace initiatives.

“The meeting reaffirmed the collective resolve of the African Union, regional economic communities, and international partners to strengthen coordination, accelerate implementation of agreed peace initiatives, and support the AU Mediator in advancing a credible and sustainable pathway toward peace, stability, and security in eastern DRC,” the statement said.

The leaders also reiterated their support for the AU-led mediation process, emphasising the need for an inclusive and coordinated approach to end the prolonged conflict that has destabilised eastern DRC and triggered one of Africa’s worst humanitarian crises.

Kenyatta has remained actively involved in regional peace efforts since leaving office, having previously served as the East African Community facilitator in the Nairobi Process before the African Union adopted a harmonised mediation framework bringing together regional peace initiatives.

The latest meeting signals continued momentum among African leaders and international partners to consolidate diplomatic efforts to pursue lasting peace in the conflict-hit eastern DRC.