The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have taken a significant step toward resolving long-standing tensions in eastern DRC by initialing a peace agreement that will be formally signed on June 27.
The deal, announced in a joint statement by both nations along with mediators from the United States and Qatar, outlines key commitments to uphold territorial sovereignty and end hostilities in the conflict-ridden region.
The agreement builds on a declaration of principles signed in April and highlights provisions for disengagement, disarmament, and the possible reintegration of non-state armed groups under strict conditions. It comes after three days of diplomatic negotiations in Washington, D.C., where DRC and Rwandan officials engaged in in-depth discussions on political, security, and economic matters.
The upcoming signing ceremony will be witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reflecting international support for peace and stability in the Great Lakes region.
The resurgence of violence in eastern DRC has been fueled by the M23 rebel group, which launched a powerful offensive earlier this year. The group has seized key cities like Goma and Bukavu and established its own governance structures. According to reports from U.S. and UN experts, M23 receives covert military assistance from Rwanda—an accusation Kigali denies. Rwanda maintains that its national security is endangered by armed factions in eastern Congo, particularly the FDLR, a Hutu militia linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
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The eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), rich in minerals and plagued by decades of unrest, has been a hotspot for regional instability.
The new peace framework aims to de-escalate tensions and create lasting solutions to end violence, protect civilians, and foster cooperation between the two neighboring nations.
