On November 14, 2026, Rwandan President Paul Kagame held a meeting with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic and African Union (AU) mediator for security issues in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. According to a statement released by the Rwandan presidency, the meeting took place at Village Urugwiro, the official presidential residence in Kigali. The discussions focused on regional security and cooperation between Rwanda and Togo.
The meeting occurred just before the 20th Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), which was scheduled to take place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from November 15 to 16, 2026. The OIF comprises 53 countries that use French as an official language. The conference aimed to strengthen cooperation and promote peace, sustainable development, and stability in member states.
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé was appointed by the AU in 2025 as mediator for security issues in Eastern DRC and for talks between DRC and Rwanda. In January 2026, Gnassingbé visited Kigali to discuss peace and security in the Great Lakes region, with a focus on the Eastern DRC. The talks also covered bilateral relations between Rwanda and Togo, including cooperation in areas such as trade and security.
Rwanda and Togo enjoy good relations, as demonstrated by a recent agreement signed in January 2026. The two countries waived visa requirements for their citizens holding ordinary passports. This move aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
The meeting between Kagame and Gnassingbé comes at a critical time, as the region faces ongoing security challenges. The AU has been actively engaged in efforts to promote peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. Gnassingbé's mediation efforts have been instrumental in promoting dialogue between DRC and Rwanda.
The OIF conference in Cambodia will also see the election of a new Secretary-General to lead the organization for the next four years. Candidates vying for the position include Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda, Dr. Coumba Ba of Mauritania, and Dacian Julien Cioloș of Romania. The election takes place against the backdrop of DRC's withdrawal of its candidate, Juliana Lumumba.
The discussions between Kagame and Gnassingbé reflect the ongoing efforts to promote regional cooperation and stability. The two leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing common challenges. Their meeting highlights the strong ties between Rwanda and Togo and their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.
Key points
- Rwanda's President Kagame met with Togo's President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé to discuss regional security and cooperation.
