Uhuru Kenyatta and Olusegun Obasanjo Join U.S.-Brokered Congo Peace Efforts as Washington Pushes for Historic DRC–Rwanda Deal

Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nigeria’s ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo have joined a high-level diplomatic team invited to Washington for renewed peace talks aimed at resolving the long-running conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The development marks one of the strongest international pushes this year to halt escalating violence in eastern Congo.

The United States, now taking a more assertive role in Great Lakes diplomacy, is hosting the talks as part of efforts to secure a landmark peace deal between the two countries. Washington’s mediation follows months of intensified fighting involving the M23 rebel group, whose advances in North Kivu and Ituri have fueled displacement, security breakdowns, and mounting humanitarian emergencies.

According to sources familiar with the closed-door arrangements, the peace summit expected to convene in December will bring together the presidents of DRC and Rwanda, alongside a panel of respected African statesmen. Kenyatta and Obasanjo, both widely regarded for their diplomatic expertise across the continent, are set to serve as facilitators and observers to ensure the process remains credible, transparent, and Africa-led.

Their involvement aligns with earlier decisions by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to merge their previous peace initiatives into a single, unified mediation structure. The joint mechanism named Kenyatta, Obasanjo, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn as senior facilitators a move meant to streamline dialogue and eliminate competing negotiation tracks.

The urgency behind the revived peace push is unmistakable. Over the past months, renewed M23 offensives have overrun government positions, displaced thousands, and heightened tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, with the DRC accusing Rwanda of backing the rebels a claim Rwanda continues to deny. International observers warn that without decisive action, the conflict risks destabilizing the broader Great Lakes region, threatening trade routes, humanitarian corridors, and regional security cooperation.

The Washington summit is expected to focus on four key issues:

• Ceasefire commitment and withdrawal of armed groups
• Establishment of a regional monitoring and verification mechanism
• Protection of civilians and humanitarian access
• A roadmap for long-term political and regional stability

Diplomatic analysts say the participation of Kenyatta and Obasanjo gives the process much-needed legitimacy. Both leaders have previously mediated major African conflicts and retain influence across regional blocs. Their presence also provides balance, ensuring the peace effort is not perceived as a purely U.S.-driven initiative but a partnership grounded in African leadership.

As anticipation builds, expectations remain cautious. Previous peace attempts have collapsed under mutual distrust, shifting military dynamics, and political tensions. However, the involvement of heavyweight African statesmen coupled with increased international pressure offers a renewed chance for progress.

For millions of civilians in eastern Congo living under the shadow of conflict, the stakes could not be higher. The coming weeks will determine whether this diplomatic window ushers in relief or further uncertainty for a region longing for peace.