LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika has reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment in promoting peace, security and political stability within the Southern African region.
President Mutharika made the remarks when he hosted members of the SADC panel of elders led by former President of Tanzania Dr Jakaya Kikwete who is Chairperson of the panel and Malawi’s former President Dr Joyce Banda who is Vice Chairperson and the current lead of a SADC mediation team in Madagascar.
Kikwete, Mutharika and Banda (in the middle from left)
Speaking in his capacity as Chair of the SADC organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, The Malawi leader encouraged the Panel of Elders to actively involve local communities in their work.
Mutharika further stressed that Malawi remains fully committed to regional peace-building initiatives, noting that instability in one country can have far-reaching consequences for neighbouring states.
Dr. Kikwete said the Panel felt energized, describing the engagement as precise, insightful, and rich in guidance and counsel from Mutharika on the way forward.
Former Malawi President Dr Banda, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her to mediate peace talks in Madagascar following the September 2025 political transition.
Geneva, Switzerland, 26 February 2026- /African Media Agency (AMA)/- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has launched its biennial scorecard, a critical tool that tracks progress on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across its 16 Member States. New data, including from demographic health surveys, shows great strides in improving the sexual and reproductive health of people across the region, while in other areas, concerted efforts are urgently needed.
The SADC scorecard offers a regional snapshot of progress towards the implementation of the SADC SRHR Strategy and SRHR targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health and gender equality. First developed in 2019, the scorecard serves as a social accountability tool and uses a “traffic light” system to track 20 indicators.
The scorecard highlights improvements in reducing adolescent birth rates and the vertical transmission of HIV, while sounding the alarm on a rise in sexually transmitted infections and the need for investments to further reduce maternal mortality:
Lowered Adolescent Birth Rates: Twelve Member States recorded a decline in adolescent births, which can be attributed to the high roll-out of life-skills HIV and comprehensive sexuality education in primary schools.
Decline in HIV infection rates: The region has seen a decline in new HIV infections, however, the latest scorecard suggests that the rate of reduction in new HIV infections amongst adolescent girls and young women aged 15 – 24 years is slowing in seven countries. This could be partially linked to a rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in half of the countries and a decline in condom use in a majority of countries.
Reduction in Maternal Mortality: Six countries recorded significant reductions in maternal mortality, based on their latest national health data. This can be attributed to the priority given by the region to reduce maternal mortality, which needs to be sustained in order to preserve the gains made.
Strong progress in the decrease in the vertical transmission of HIV: Twelve Member States are on track to meet the SDG target by 2030, five of whom already achieved the milestone in 2025. Despite this success, children and adolescent girls and young women are lagging behind in receiving HIV services.
In addition to the abovementioned gains, the scorecard also identified areas where concerted efforts are needed:
Family Planning: Eight Member States are not meeting the contraceptive needs of women. Investing in the contraceptive needs of women and adolescent girls can further reduce teen pregnancies and preventable maternal deaths, and ensure their contribution to their country’s economic growth and development.
Gender-Based Violence: Sexual and intimate partner violence remains persistently high across all Member States in the SADC region. Though all countries have made progress in putting in place relevant laws and policies, greater investments are required to ensure their implementation, including the integration of SRHR, HIV and GBV services, so that all survivors are able to ensure their health and well-being.
Domestic financing: No SADC country has met the ‘Abuja Declaration’ target of allocating 15% of their national budgets to health. Four countries have allocated more than 10% of their national budget to health. Countries need to accelerate domestic funding given declining donor investments if progress is to be made in achieving Universal Health Coverage, and to reduce out of pocket expenditures for citizens.
“The true power of this 3rd Milestone Scorecard lies not merely in what it measures, but in the action it demands from us. With only five years to 2030, we must move with urgency, we need to accelerate implementation, scaling what works, and we need to support our commitments with bold, measurable, and accountable actions,” said Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, Republic of South Africa.
“Investing in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is no longer just a public health issue; it is a fundamental economic imperative. Research has shown us that every dollar invested in family planning, particularly among the youthful population, can yield up to $100 in long-term economic benefits, yet our chronic underfunding and reliance on external aid actively sacrifices our demographic dividend. Political leadership must translate into urgent, domestic financial mobilization that meets the 15% Abuja target. Our greatest challenge is the paralysis between policy commitment and real-world execution. The SADC scorecard and mid-term review of the SADC SRHR strategy reinforces that Member States need to reform restrictive national laws, enforce gender-based violence and child marriage legislation, and fully integrate SRHR into climate adaptation plans to build truly resilient, rights-based health systems,” reaffirms H.E. Mr. Elias Mpedi Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Since 2018, the joint United Nations Regional Programme, 2gether 4 SRHR, composed of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, has supported SADC to develop, implement and monitor the SADC SRHR strategy and its scorecard, with funding from the Government of Sweden.
“The leadership of the SADC Ministers of Health and the Secretariat, guided by the SADC SRHR Strategy, is demonstrating tangible results: reduced adolescent birth rates, fewer maternal deaths, and decreased rates of HIV. These must be celebrated and safeguarded. However, the 2025 scorecard is a stark reminder that these gains are fragile. Without continued commitment and increased domestic investments, these gains risk being undone. As a long standing partner to SADC, the 2gether 4 SRHR programme remains committed to using the scorecard findings and working with Governments in areas where the region and countries are lagging behind.
Collectively, we must do better to ensure that all people can exercise their sexual and reproductive health and rights and that young people can achieve their full potential, so that everyone can contribute to the economic and social development of the region,” highlights Lydia Zigomo, UNFPA Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, on behalf of the Regional Directors of the 2gether 4 SRHR programme.
“Despite our successes, we now risk a two-speed region where gaps in family planning, HIV prevention, and gender equality strand 94 million adolescents without the wellbeing they need to drive the economic and social development of SADC. To avoid this, all Member States must invest urgently and in sustained ways in adolescent SRHR as a foundation for all SRHR,” concludes Jonathan Gunthorp, Executive Director, SRHR Africa Trust.
The SADC scorecard is published every two years and tracks 20 indicators across SADC Member States, including information on rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, adolescent birth rates, family planning, HIV infections and treatment, STIs, including HPV, number of health facilities offering SRHR services and schools offering sexuality education, as well as number of health workers and budget allocated to health. The scorecard also tracks key legal issues which impact on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Milestones were set for 2025 and the scorecard’s traffic light system indicates green for progress and red for regression, against a baseline set in 2019.
The SADC SRHR Strategy (2019 – 2030) serves as a policy and programmatic framework for Member States to ensure that all people in SADC enjoy a healthy sexual and reproductive life, have sustainable access, coverage, and quality SRHR services, information, and education; and can fully realize and exercise their SRHR. The 16 Member States in SADC include: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
About 2gether 4 SRHR:
2gether 4 SRHR is a joint United Nations Regional Programme, in partnership with Sweden, which brings together the combined efforts of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO to improve the sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) of all people in Eastern and Southern Africa. For more information and for a one-stop-shop of information and resources in Africa, visit the SRHR Knowledge Hub.
Less manual work, smarter, AI-powered financial control, and a future-ready platform designed to scale with Kenyan businesses.
NAIROBI, Kenya, 12 February 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has launched Sage Intacct in Kenya. The launch marks a significant step forward in how mid-sized businesses can operate, by bringing intelligent, AI-powered financial management that delivers real-time visibility and data-driven insights.
Sage Intacct is a cloud-native, AI-enabled financial management platform built to help growing organisations modernise and automate their finance operations. By embedding intelligence across core financial processes, it enables finance teams to move beyond manual tasks and focus on strategic decision-making. Key capabilities include multi-entity consolidation, real-time dashboards and reporting, and intelligent automation of workflows across core accounting functions like orders, purchasing, and cash management. Built for scalability, Sage Intacct supports complex, global operations with multi-currency, multi-entity structures and integrates seamlessly with other business systems through open APIs.
Key features and benefits of Sage Intacct include:
Making informed decisions: AI-powered dashboards and real-time reporting give finance teams and business leaders instant visibility into trusted financial data to help them make better, data-driven decisions.
Intelligent Automation of finance operations: Finance teams will no longer need to manage tedious spreadsheet tasks and manual data entry, helping save time and reducing errors.
Scalable innovation for growing businesses: Built on a cloud-native, future-ready architecture, Sage Intacct scales effortlessly as businesses grow, allowing them to add new capabilities and innovate without disruptions.
Enhanced accuracy through intelligent finance: Finance teams can easily harness the power of intelligent automation to automate processes like outlier detection and smart rules for bank reconciliation, thereby improving data accuracy and identifying potential risks or fraud.
Seamless integration: Finance teams can easily integrate Sage Intacct with other applications using its open architecture and library of APIs.
Multi-entity insights: Empowers growing multi-entity businesses with valuable insights for clarity and enhanced efficiency.
Jordaan Burger, Managing Director, Sage Africa & Middle East
Jordaan Burger, Managing Director for Sage AME, says, “At Sage, innovation is driven by our customers’ needs. Launching Sage Intacct in Kenya reflects our commitment to supporting the country’s growing community of SMBs and mid-market organisations with intelligent, AI-powered financial technology as they accelerate their digital transformation journeys. As one of Africa’s fastest-growing technology and innovation hubs, Kenya continues to set the pace as today’s finance leaders need real-time insights, intelligent automation, and scalable cloud platforms to keep up with that momentum.”
Darius Bester ACMA/CGMA, Senior Accountant, Q4 Fuel (Pty) Ltd says, “As Q4 Fuel scaled into a complex, multi-entity operation, our legacy systems could no longer keep up. Sage Intacct has transformed how we run finance across the group, giving us real-time visibility across all 28 entities, stronger control over assets and compliance, and faster, more reliable reporting. We’ve cut month-end close by up to 10 days, reduced invoice processing from a full day to just a few hours and continue to see 10–20% month-on-month efficiency gains. By integrating directly with our POS and operational systems, we’ve eliminated manual imports and improved data integrity, allowing our finance team to focus on higher-value work like inventory and margin analysis.”
As innovation continues to move at pace, Sage has an exciting roadmap for AI features that will unlock faster decision-making and give finance leaders more time to focus on impact. Sage is committed to bringing the best new technology to Kenya and the rest of Africa.
Gerhard Hartman, Vice President for Medium Business, Sage Africa & Middle East concludes: “Kenya’s Digital Economy Blueprint and the National AI Strategy 2025-2030, clearly signal the country’s ambition to harness AI and automation to transform critical sectors such as agriculture, fintech, public services, and innovation-led entrepreneurship. As digital transformation accelerates, businesses across Kenya are moving beyond legacy systems and embracing intelligent, cloud-based platforms. Sage Intacct is purpose-built for this moment, helping organisations not only automate and streamline financial operations, but also unlock the insight, agility, and innovation needed to lead in Kenya’s next phase of economic growth. Through intelligent automation and real-time financial insights, Sage Intacct enables finance teams in a digital-first economy.”
Following successful launches in South Africa, the UAE and other SADC countries, Sage Intacct will be brought to Kenya through certified business partners offering deep expertise in specific vertical markets.
Sage Intacct success stories Sage has built a strong base of Sage Intacct clients in South Africa since launching the solution in 2020, including Wild Eye, Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund, ATKV, and Retail Capital, to name a few.
Find out how customers are using Sage Intacct to drive better business outcomes on our Customer Success Stories page.
Sage Intacct helped Q4 Fuel overcome manual processes, achieve a 10-day faster month-end close, and shift finance from reporting to strategy.
Sage Intacct gives Wild Eye the structure and visibility to make confident decisions as it grows.
Sage Intacct has elevated LPFF’s operational excellence and enabled it to navigate the complex and evolving legal and regulatory landscape.
Sage Intacct enhanced ATKV’s communication and standardised processes, enabling real-time access to information from any device.
Sage Intacct enabled Retail Capital’s transactions to be 99% automated.
About Sage Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of Small and Mid-Sized Businesses served by us, our partners, and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR, and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology, and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality, and the climate crisis.
Sage Intacct is currently available to customers in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, the UAE, some SADC countries and South Africa.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has approved the appointment of former Malawian President Joyce Banda to head a high-level peace mission to Madagascar by March 2026.
The mission has been mandated to facilitate and support ongoing efforts aimed at restoring political stability, democracy, and lasting peace in Madagascar.
The decision was reached during an emergency virtual SADC summit held yesterday.
During the meeting, the Summit received a report from the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, President Peter Mutharika, on the findings of a technical mission that was conducted in Madagascar in October this year. President Mutharika was represented at the Summit by Malawi’s First Vice President, Dr. Jane Ansah.
In addition to approving the peace mission, SADC set clear timelines for Madagascar’s transitional government, led by Colonel Andry Rajoelina, to initiate an inclusive, Malagasy-owned and Malagasy-led national dialogue.
The dialogue is expected to pave the way for fresh elections and facilitate the peaceful return of political exiles.
According to the Summit communiqué, Madagascar has been directed to submit a dialogue readiness report together with a draft National Roadmap by 28 February 2026.
The country will thereafter be required to provide periodic progress updates to the Chairperson of the SADC Organ in May, August, and November 2026.
SADC reiterated its commitment to supporting Madagascar in achieving sustainable peace and democratic governance through inclusive political processes.
Peter Mutharika’s early performance in the 2025 presidential election has set a record-high standard for political competitors.
His commanding lead, reflected in partial results, has captured the attention of observers across Malawi and beyond.
For the incumbent Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Mutharika’s surge represents a significant challenge.
Political analysts suggest that the party may need to undertake urgent introspection to understand why voter support appears to be shifting away from its traditional strongholds.
The early lead also underscores the importance of strategic campaigning and messaging, areas in which the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) appears to have excelled.
Mutharika’s performance may raise expectations among voters for decisive leadership, effective governance, and rapid implementation of campaign promises.
At a regional level, the outcome of the election will be closely watched by neighboring countries and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Observers note that a smooth, transparent electoral process would reinforce Malawi’s reputation as a stable democracy in Southern Africa.
Conversely, contested results or tensions arising from high-stakes competition could spark concerns about political stability and national unity.
Mutharika’s “bar is so high, it might need a parachute,” as some commentators have joked, illustrates the pressure this early lead places on rivals to match his appeal and strategy.
For the MCP, this means not only addressing immediate electoral challenges but also reconsidering long-term policy and leadership approaches to remain competitive.
The high standard set by Mutharika may also influence voter behavior in future elections, encouraging a more engaged and demanding electorate.
Political observers caution that while the early results are significant, patience and transparency remain crucial as the Malawi Electoral Commission completes the full vote tally.
Ultimately, Mutharika’s record-setting lead highlights the evolving dynamics of Malawi’s political landscape, where voter expectations, regional perception, and party strategies converge to shape the nation’s future.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this early momentum translates into a definitive victory and how it will reshape the balance of power in Malawian politics.
The West Coast undergoes a mesmerising transformation each year as wildflowers burst into a vibrant symphony of colours. This awe-inspiring spectacle showcases the region’s rich biodiversity and unique floral beauty.
From expansive national parks to charming towns, the West Coast is home to an array of floral wonders that will capture the hearts of both seasoned nature enthusiasts and casual wanderers.
The West Coast stretches from Table View to Paternoster, and back around the Darling Hills between the R27 and N7 highway, offering plenty to see and do.
The Wildflower Season
Starting in August, this annual natural show unveils a kaleidoscope of colours, painting the landscape in stunning shades of pink, purple, yellow and white. As the warm breeze carries the delicate scents of wildflowers, the West Coast comes alive with nature’s vibrant palette, inviting you to explore and immerse yourself in the reverence of mother nature.
Each corner of this coastal wonderland holds surprises, from the renowned West Coast National Park to charming gems like Darling and Hopefield. So, whether you’re an ardent flower fanatic or a soul in search of tranquility, our West Coast Flower Guide promises an unforgettable experience.
Here are some locations to visit:
Darling Wildflower Show
Location: Darling Sports Club at Jakaranda St, Darling
When: 19-21 September
Cost: R80 for adults, R60 for pensioners, students and kids over the age of 12, and free for children under 12
Cost: SA Citizens-Adults: R116, children: R58; SADC Nationals-Adults: R169, children: R85; Standard Conservation Fee-Adults: R247, children: R124
Blaauwberg Nature Reserve
With panoramic views encompassing the cityscape, Table Mountain and Robben Island, Blaauwberg Nature Reserve unites natural beauty and cultural heritage. Its wetlands are teeming with life, making it a paradise for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Location: Eerste Steen Resort, Otto du Plessis Drive, Bloubergstrand Opening times: Monday to Sunday Cost: Vehicles: R28, adults: R20, children, students, and senior citizens: R15; children under 3: free Call: 021 444 0454 Visit: www.capetown.gov.za/BlaauwbergNatureReserve
Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve
For an intimate encounter with the West Coast’s floral gems, the Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve is a hidden treasure. Its diverse veld types, from grasslands to fynbos, showcase an array of unique species. Among them are bulbous plants cherished for their delicate beauty and rarity. Here, every step and around every corner reveals a colourful new surprise.
Close by, the Groenekloof Reserve showcases a diverse collection of flowers, including Hermannia, Arctotis, and Chlorophytum. Nestled near the Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve, it adds to the floral delights that grace the West Coast during this enchanting season.
Waylands Farm, just 6km from Darling, opens its gates to share a family legacy spanning generations. The reserve features around 300 species, from Blue Flaks to Ixia and Arums. This slice of paradise is part of the critically endangered Lowland Fynbos Biome emphasising the importance of its preservation.
Located on Contreberg Farm, 10km outside Darling, the reserve reveals a seasonal wet Swartland Granite Renosterveld area, serving as a sanctuary for the critically endangered orchid species called Pterygodium cruciform (Darling Ivory).
Despite its small size, it transforms into a magnificent display of flowering bulbs during spring. The reserve offers a glimpse into the delicate balance of ecosystems, where rare orchids find refuge and nature’s resilience shines.
Step into one of the oldest villages on the West Coast, Paternoster offers a warm embrace and a visual feast of spring flowers. Wander through its quaint streets, adorned with nature’s palette. Here, you’ll find a harmonious blend of tradition and natural wonder.
Along the Saldanha Bay coastline, colourful wildflowers create a striking contrast against the azure waters. Take a stroll, soak in the tranquil atmosphere, and let nature’s artwork rejuvenate your senses.
LILONGWE–(MaraviPost)-The upcoming National Product Magazine (NPM) Mid-Year Awards and 115th Edition, scheduled for June 21, 2025, at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, has attracted participation from 20 companies across the SADC region.
Under the theme, “Connecting Industries, Fueling Exports: Enhancing Malawi’s Forex Reserves through Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Transport,” this Mid-Year awards aims to highlight and celebrate outstanding achievements in sectors critical to Malawi’s economic growth.
Over 80 companies have been nominated for various awards, with 70% from Malawi and the remaining 30% representing countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and others within the SADC region.
Speaking on Sunday, June 1, NPM Executive Director Arthur Chinyamula confirmed that public voting has been finalized, and preparations are underway for the highly anticipated ceremony.
“We’ve nominated companies in sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, transport, finance, and entrepreneurship,” Chinyamula said. “All nominations went through a rigorous screening process, focusing on factors such as specialization, size, performance, and export potential.”
Spotlight on Local and Regional Excellence
According to Chinyamula, the awards aim to not only promote top-performing businesses but also encourage regional collaboration that can help boost Malawi’s foreign exchange reserves.
“We believe forex generation depends on the strong performance of agriculture, manufacturing, and transport. This awards edition is a reflection of that vision,” he added.
In a special move toward inclusivity, the event will feature dedicated award categories for women entrepreneurs, recognizing their growing impact in various industries.
In addition to the formal awards, attendees will be treated to a “Best Dressed of the Night” competition, adding a stylish twist to the evening.
“Pull up in style—you just might win. Dress to impress and let your fashion speak before you do,” Chinyamula encouraged.
Entertainment and Recognition
The red-carpet gala will be headlined by Malawian music icon Lulu, ensuring a night filled with both celebration and entertainment.
The National Product Magazine continues to earn widespread praise for its commitment to uplifting local industries, promoting Malawian-made products, and encouraging excellence across sectors.
South African troops participating under the umbrella of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will complete their withdrawal by the end of May.
This was announced by the South African National Defense Force Chief Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya in Pretoria, who also confirmed that a total of 13 trucks carrying 57 soldiers had already departed.
He further said that the withdrawal follows a peace truce between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels, which highlights the long-term objective that was being pursued by the SADC forces in the volatile region.
The SADC troops, which also include those from Tanzania and Malawi, had begun moving out from DRC earlier last week and had traveled through neighboring Rwanda to Tanzania and flew home from there.
Fourteen South African and three Malawian soldiers were killed in fighting with M23 in January.
The southern African regional body decided in March to end its peacekeeping mission early and bring the troops home.
M23 controls Goma and a second major city in eastern Congo and is supported by around 4,000 troops from Rwanda, according to experts from the United Nations.
Congo and Rwanda have held talks mediated by Qatar and supported by the United States and say they are working toward a peace agreement.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) began on Tuesday the withdrawal of its peacekeeping forces from the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)through Rwanda.
Local media sources in Rwanda reported seeing SADC forces moving several trucks of soldiers and equipment from Goma in North Kivu province through Rwanda.
Reports indicate that the convoy will travel to Chato in north-western Tanzania before repatriation to various countries.
“Our orders say by May 30, everyone and everything needs to be out of Goma and on its way. It was chaos over the weekend, but nobody is complaining because we’re finally going home,” one soldier is reported as saying.
Rwanda had agreed in April to give safe passage to the SADC forces.
The force of several thousand peacekeeping troops from South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania had been sent to eastern Congo by the SADC in 2023 to help the Congolese government pacify a mineral-rich region plagued by various insurgencies.
The SADC military mission had suffered heavy losses in the previous months, with around a dozen soldiers from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania killed as the M23 rebels seized control of Goma.
Their termination came after losing about 17 soldiers to the rebels in the DRC.
The rebels have said they want to take their fight to the far-off capital, Kinshasa, while Congo’s president has called for a massive military mobilization to resist the rebellion.
The M23 rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts, and at times have vowed to march as far as Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, over 1,000 miles away.
Rwanda has rejected charges, including by the Congolese government and U.N. experts, that it backs M23 in eastern Congo, a region that is now one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises with more than 7 million people displaced.
The withdrawal of SADC troops comes after the M23 took control of eastern Congo’s main city of Goma and seized the second largest city, Bukavu, in offensives over the past two months.
Fourteen South African soldiers, and at least three from Malawi, were killed in January in the fighting. The United Nations later evacuated a group of critically injured South Africans.
Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé has been appointed as the African Union’s new mediator in the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group.
This role marks a significant shift in the AU’s efforts to resolve the crisis, as Gnassingbé replaces Angolan President João Lourenço, who stepped down to focus on Angola’s presidency of the AU.
The conflict in eastern DRC has intensified since January 2025, when the M23 launched a rapid offensive, capturing key cities like Goma and Bukavu in North Kivu province.
Despite previous mediation efforts by Angola, progress has been limited. Talks scheduled in Luanda failed after the M23 withdrew following EU sanctions on some of its leaders.
As the new mediator, Gnassingbé will work towards achieving “sustainable peace, reconciliation, and stability” in the Great Lakes region.
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He faces the challenge of coordinating with other mediation efforts, notably those led by Qatar, which recently facilitated direct talks between the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Doha.
Gnassingbé will also collaborate with a panel of five former African presidents appointed as facilitators by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC).
This team includes former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa, Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic, and Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia.
The appointment of Gnassingbé signals a renewed push by the AU to resolve the conflict. However, the parallel mediation efforts by Qatar and the complex regional dynamics pose significant challenges. Gnassingbé’s diplomatic skills and Togo’s experience in regional mediation will be crucial in navigating these complexities and achieving lasting peace in the region.
