Togo: President Gnassingbé Poised to Mediate DRC-Rwanda Peace Talks

Politics

Wednesday, 09 April 2025 12:50

Togo: President Gnassingbé Poised to Mediate DRC-Rwanda Peace Talks

(Togo First) - Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé is poised to take on a critical role as the African Union’s (AU) new mediator in the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The nomination, proposed by Angolan President João Lourenço, was endorsed by the AU Assembly's Bureau during a virtual meeting on April 5, 2025.

Lourenço, who recently stepped down as mediator to focus on his broader AU responsibilities, suggested Gnassingbé for the role after receiving his positive response. The appointment awaits formal validation by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

Support from Lomé

Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey quickly expressed gratitude for the nomination. “We thank the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union, and in particular President Lourenço of Angola, for his proposal, and confirm the readiness of President Faure Gnassingbé to work for peace, reconciliatio,n and stability in the east of the DRC,” he said via X (formerly Twitter).

Togo’s latest diplomatic mission solidifies its status as a key player in West African geopolitics. As regional alliances shift and tensions mount, Lomé is emerging as a hub for diplomacy and strategy, building on its leadership during the Sahel crisis and ECOWAS withdrawals.

This stance could yield tangible benefits in bilateral cooperation and border security for the country, but it poses a significant challenge in the volatile context of tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, where Qatar's discreet mediation efforts are gaining traction.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.