An African Union delegation met with rebels in Congo and urged that peace efforts continue, Reuters reported on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The envoys held discussions with the rebel group as part of the continental body's push to keep dialogue alive, according to Reuters. The delegation used the meeting to call for sustained momentum behind the peace process.
Reuters did not disclose further details of the talks, including where exactly they took place or which specific rebel representatives attended.
The meeting fits into a broader pattern of African Union engagement aimed at resolving the conflict in Congo through negotiation rather than military escalation. By sitting down directly with rebel figures, the delegation signaled its preference for keeping communication channels open even as fighting persists. Reuters framed the encounter as part of the AU's continued appeals for peace efforts to move forward.
The African Union has repeatedly positioned itself as a mediator in Congo's long-running conflict, though the outcomes of such diplomatic contacts are often not made public. Wednesday's meeting is the latest in a series of contacts between AU officials and armed groups, per Reuters.
Details on what was agreed, if anything, remain unclear from the reporting available.
What to watch next: whether the African Union announces follow-up talks or concrete steps resulting from Wednesday's meeting, and whether the rebels signal any commitment to the process.
