During the visit, the EUSR for the Great Lakes met with H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adoye, African Union Commissioner for Political, Peace and Security, H.E. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, UN Special Representative for the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of UNOAU, Ambassadors of Angola, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and think tanks. He engaged, as well, with the resident European Union Member States and other international partners.

The main objectives for the visit were to engage with the African Union leadership, understanding the AUC role and headship on the Great Lakes crisis, and to confirm the European Union continuous support to the Angolan presidency and AU Commissioner Bankole. The EUSR exchanged with partners on how the EU could support regional organisations in their efforts to tackle current crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He underlined the urgency for a cease fire and the need to secure efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. He emphasised the importance for all involved parties to remain engaged in dialogue. The European Union underlines the paramount importance of regional political processes in this respect.

Reflecting on his visit, the EUSR Borgstam stated: “At a time of urgency when it comes to the tragic situation in eastern DRC, we call on the leadership of the AU and its members states to work towards a cease fire so that the two parties get back to the negotiation table. The EU stands ready to support and assist.”

The EUSR was accompanied by Javier Niño Pérez, EU Ambassador for the African Union. This visit is part of a broader mission to the region that also includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi. This mission follows his diplomatic outreach in Kampala and Nairobi last week.

Background:

Appointed as European Union Special Representative (EUSR) since September 2024, Borgstam’s mission is to spearhead the implementation of the renewed EU Great Lakes Strategy, whose objectives include support to peace, stability and security in the Great Lakes region by promoting de-escalation of tensions and supporting dialogue and long-term regional solutions to crisis, in particular in Eastern DRC and to contribute to the regional efforts to transform the root causes of insecurity and instability into shared opportunities, unlocking the region’s full potential.

The EU Special Representatives (EUSRs) promote the EU's policies and interests in specific regions and countries and play an active role in efforts to consolidate peace, stability and the rule of law. The EUSRs support the work of the EU High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) Kaja Kallas in the regions concerned. They play an important role in the development of a stronger and more effective EU Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

The EU is deeply concerned about the continued escalation of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), aggravated by the renewed offensive of the M23 supported by the Rwandan Armed Forces (RDF). This undermines African-led efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The EU reaffirms its full support to the Luanda and Nairobi processes. More details at this press release.

Press contacts: EU Delegation to the AU: Biruk Feleke, Press & Information Officer - biruk.feleke@eeas.europa.eu
More information: EU Delegation to the AU: Website / X / EEAS Press Material / EEAS YouTube channel