Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have officially signed a peace agreement in Washington, D.C., marking a significant move towards resolving years of violence and instability between the neighboring countries. The deal, aimed at bringing an end to longstanding hostilities, is seen as essential for both regional peace and the potential access to valuable mineral resources for the United States.
The peace deal, which mandates the "disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration" of armed groups in eastern DR Congo, comes after a “declaration of principles” was established in April. Despite previous peace agreements failing in the region, both the US and Congolese presidents are framing this signing as a monumental accomplishment. President Donald Trump celebrated the initial agreement on his Truth Social platform, calling it a "great day for Africa."
Key representatives from both countries’ foreign ministries signed the deal at the US State Department. In the lead-up to the signing, speculation arose about a possible joint trip to the US capital by Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of DR Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, although no details have emerged regarding such a visit.
The context of the agreement stems from intensified conflict since early this year when M23 rebels seized considerable areas of eastern DR Congo, including the regional capital of Goma. The violence has led to thousands of deaths and widespread displacement of civilians. In response, the Congolese government sought assistance from the US, reportedly in exchange for access to essential minerals abundant in the region.
While Rwanda has consistently denied supporting M23, it maintains that its military presence is to protect against threats from armed groups like the FDLR, a militia tied to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In contrast, Rwanda accuses the Congolese government of backing the FDLR, further escalating tensions.
Although a statement from the deal alluded to provisions for respecting territorial integrity and banning hostilities, specifics are still largely undefined. The Congolese side reportedly wanted an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops, which some claim number around 7,000 within DR Congo, while Rwanda refuted such demands.
Rwanda's Foreign Minister criticized prior leaks about the agreement, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality. He further noted that key terms concerning troop withdrawal were omitted from the final document. However, Tshisekedi's office later stated that the agreement does indeed consider troop withdrawal but opted for "disengagement" as a more inclusive term.
As details continue to unfold regarding this signed agreement, pressing questions linger, including whether M23 rebels will vacate occupied territories, the acknowledgment of Rwandan troop presence, and the feasibility of disarming the FDLR.
The journey towards peace remains fraught with complexities, as prior attempts at demobilization have failed. Past agreements under Angolan mediation on troop withdrawal and combating the FDLR were never endorsed. The current peace deal may face similar scrutiny as stakeholders await clarity on critical components of the agreement’s implementation.
