The delegation comprises former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde.

Their visit to Kinshasa follows meetings with AFC/M23 leaders in Goma and discussions with President Paul Kagame in Kigali on October 7, 2026, focusing on the root causes of the conflict.

The DRC presidency announced that President Félix Tshisekedi was scheduled to receive the delegation on October 9.

The facilitators are expected to brief the Congolese government on the outcomes of their consultations with the different parties before reporting to Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé, who is leading the AU's mediation efforts.

During their visit to Goma, the delegation met AFC/M23 representatives, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), humanitarian organisations and members of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism.

Following the meetings, the facilitators urged all parties to engage in the Doha peace process in good faith, respect the ceasefire and cooperate with mechanisms tasked with monitoring its implementation.

AFC/M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa called for any agreements to include concrete measures whose implementation could be verified.

He also warned that the group would continue fighting if government forces attempted to retake Minembwe, an area in South Kivu that has experienced prolonged fighting.

The AU facilitators have emphasised that their efforts go beyond securing political agreements, with a focus on delivering tangible improvements for civilians. These include protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian access and safeguarding essential services such as education.

AFC/M23 controls large areas of North Kivu and South Kivu following offensives in early 2025 that saw the group seize the major cities of Goma and Bukavu.