The Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf this afternoon received the AU-EAC-SADC Panel of Facilitators on the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) situation.

Present at the meeting were H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza (CAR), H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia) and H.E. Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana). Also present was H.E. Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of @SADC_News.

The Chairperson commended the Facilitators for their leadership, wisdom and sustained engagement, and reaffirmed the AU Commission's full support to their mandate in advancing peace and stability on the continent.
Speaking on behalf of the Panel, H.E. Obasanjo thanked the Chairperson for his leadership and commitment to African-owned solutions. Both President Obasanjo & the Chairperson agreed on the importance of coherence & alignment of all initiatives, including Washington & Doha, in support of the AU-led process.

The Panel will work closely with H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo and AU-designated Mediator, to engage all stakeholders towards a durable and inclusive resolution to the situation in eastern DRC.