The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have taken a significant step towards peace by signing a new agreement in Washington, D.C. This deal aims to end years of conflict between the two neighboring countries. The signing took place at the State Department, where foreign ministers from both nations met on Friday. The agreement was facilitated by the United States and Qatar.
Under the terms of the deal, the two countries will work on a regional economic integration framework within 90 days. Additionally, they plan to establish a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days. A key aspect of the agreement is the withdrawal of thousands of Rwandan soldiers from the DRC, which is expected to occur within three months.
This peace deal comes amid rising violence linked to the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the DRC’s mineral-rich provinces of North and South Kivu. The conflict has led to thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people since January. The tensions are rooted in a long history, stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner expressed hope that the agreement could help restore safety and dignity to those affected by the conflict. She emphasized the importance of following through with the deal, which includes ensuring justice and the return of displaced families and refugees.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe described the agreement as a “turning point.” While Rwanda denies supporting the M23 rebels, it has called for the neutralization of another armed group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which has ties to the genocide.
On the ground, there is some uncertainty regarding the M23 rebels’ withdrawal, as they currently control significant areas in North and South Kivu. The deal does not directly address the status of these rebels, leading to confusion about the next steps.
The agreement also has implications for international interests, particularly for the United States. The DRC is rich in critical minerals like cobalt and lithium, which are important for technology. U.S. President Donald Trump noted that the deal could benefit American companies and help secure mineral rights from the DRC.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the signing an important moment, emphasizing the need for peace to allow people to live with hope for a better future. Analysts view the agreement as a significant development, though many remain cautious about its potential to quickly end the ongoing violence that has plagued the region for decades.