DR Congo and Rwanda discuss peace deal
Both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have voiced their commitment to the Washington accord, the June 2025 peace deal, reports AfricaNews on September 4th.
At a meeting in the United States – attended by representatives of the DRC, Rwanda, the US, Qatar, and the African Union – Kigali and Kinshasa have vowed to respect each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The reaffirmation emerges from the second meeting of the joint oversight committee, which has been discussing the conflict in the mineral-rich east of the DRC.
In a statement released by the committee on September 3rd, Kigali and Kinshasa put emphasis on their resolve to advance peace, stability and prosperity within the currently war-torn regions.
Discussion at the meetings focused on challenges that may jeopardize the path to peace – topics ranged from reports of ongoing violence in the DRC’s east and plans to neutralise support for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, an armed group.
Both Kigali and Kinshasa also agreed to immediately stop any state support to any non-state militia – except in the regions where support is needed for peace.
There was a key development in the meetings after Kinshasa revealed it has no policy in support of the FDLR whilst Kigali reaffirmed respect for the territorial integrity of the DRC.
Both Rwanda and the DRC have also agreed to open a military and intelligence channel to exchange information between the two nations directly.
The meeting suggests an optimistic path forward for the two nations after peace talks between the DRC and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels fell apart in June, the possibility of peace has returned.
Optimism that can also be found in the reports that children across the DRC have returned to school – even in rebel-controlled regions – keeping the education system intact despite the conflict.
Talks between the DRC and Rwanda are expected to continue next month when the joint oversight committee meet again in Doha.
AfricaNews, Maghrebi.org
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