Together for Peace in the Great Lakes Region: AU, UN, EU and Partners Call

Senior representatives of the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and European Union (EU), together with international and regional partners, have called for renewed political engagement to advance a peaceful and sustainable solution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and reaffirmed the importance of inclusive peace processes that ensure the meaningful participation of women.

The appeal was made during the high-level side event, "Together for Peace: Advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in Peace Efforts for the Great Lakes Region", held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The event was jointly convened by the UN, AU and EU Special Envoys and Representatives for the Great Lakes Region, with the Republic of Togo, serving as lead of the AU-mandated mediation process on eastern DRC, acting as co-chair. The event was organized in partnership with Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region (OSEGL), MONUSCO, UN Women, the African Women Leaders Network, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), GIZ and Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

Against the backdrop of continued conflict and a worsening humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, participants emphasized the urgent need for a political solution and stronger coordination among international and regional actors to support sustainable peace and stability across the Great Lakes Region.

The event brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, peacebuilding experts and practitioners to identify practical approaches for strengthening women's participation in mediation efforts, ceasefire arrangements and peace process implementation. Participants noted that while women and girls continue to bear a disproportionate share of the consequences of armed conflict, women remain significantly underrepresented in formal peace negotiations and decision-making processes.

Moderator, co-host and AU Special Envoy for WPS, Ambassador Liberata Mulamula reminded all attendees that, "Women must not only be included in peace processes. They must have the space, authority and support to influence the decisions that shape peace."

Participants reaffirmed that women's meaningful participation is both a matter of principle and a critical factor in achieving sustainable peace. They highlighted the continued importance of implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda throughout the region.

Speaking on the role of women leadership in sustainable conflict resolution in the region, Special Envoy Huang Xia reiterated that on this International Day for Peace, 21st of September, concrete action was needed now more than ever at a time when the people of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to suffer the devastating consequences of conflict.

"Women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence, forced displacement, economic insecurity and the collapse of essential services. But they are also mediators, community leaders, economic actors and peacebuilders," said Special Envoy Huang Xia.

The discussions underscored the value of sustained UN-AU-EU cooperation alongside the engagement of international and regional partners to enable inclusiveness in ongoing peace efforts. Participants highlighted several priority areas for action, including:

• Ensuring women's meaningful participation in negotiation structures and peace agreement development;

• Expanding women's involvement in ceasefire monitoring mechanisms and implementation bodies at local, national and regional levels;

• Integrating gender-responsive provisions into peace agreements that reflect the experiences and priorities of women and girls affected by conflict;

• Strengthening accountability mechanisms to support implementation and address violations;

• Establishing structured engagement between peace process leaders and civil society, particularly women-led organizations, in recognition of their expertise and contributions to peacebuilding.

The event aimed to translate existing UN, AU and EU commitments on Women, Peace and Security into concrete actions within ongoing peace processes in the Great Lakes Region. Participants also looked beyond the General Assembly to identify opportunities for sustained collaboration and follow-up.

"We must do everything we can to ensure the full and equal participation of women in peace negotiations - not only as beneficiaries of peace, but as actors shaping it. This is why the EU places the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the heart of its engagement in the Great Lakes region," reiterated Ambassador Johan Borgstam, the EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes region.

UN, AU, EU and regional stakeholders committed to maintaining close engagement with women and women's organizations, advancing inclusive peace processes and supporting practical pathways for participation in negotiations, ceasefire arrangements and peace agreement implementation. Future efforts will focus not only on more collaboration between the various stakeholders, but also on fostering systematic dialogue between civil society actors and political and diplomatic leaders involved in negotiations, ensuring that international commitments result in tangible opportunities for local participation and influence.

The "Together for Peace: Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Peace Efforts for the Great Lakes Region" initiative reaffirmed the critical importance of coordinated international and regional engagement in achieving sustainable peace and stability across the Great Lakes Region.

For further information, please contact:

1. Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN and Head of Media and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate | E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)

2. Dr. Sally Wangamati | Ag. Office Coordinator & Women, Peace and Security Programme Specialist | Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security | African Union Commission | Email: [email protected]| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

3. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: [email protected]

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