DR Congo and Rwanda agree to ease tensions after US talks

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda agreed to take “concrete steps” to ease tensions following talks hosted by the United States in Washington, as reported by BBC News Africa and agencies on March 19th.

A joint statement by DR Congo, Rwanda and the US said the two countries had agreed on coordinated measures to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground.

The talks marked the first meeting between the two sides since the United States imposed sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Forces and four senior officers on March 2nd, accusing Rwanda of directly supporting the M23 rebel group and contributing to an escalation in the conflict.

The two sides pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Rwanda said it would disengage its forces and lift what it described as “defensive measures” in defined areas of DR Congo’s territory.

DR Congo said it would step up efforts against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed Rwanda Hutu group active in the east.

Rwanda has described the FDLR as a threat to its security, saying the group includes ethnic Hutus linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which killed up to one million Tutsi and moderate Hutus.

Despite accusations from the United States, the Rwandan government has repeatedly denied supporting the M23 rebel group.

Fighting has persisted in eastern DR Congo despite both parties signing a US-brokered peace deal in December 2025.

Days after the agreement, M23 fighters entered the city of Uvira near the Burundi border in one of the largest escalations in recent months.

The group later withdrew under US pressure but continues to control large parts of eastern DR Congo, including Goma and Bukavu.

According to the US, the continued presence of M23 forces near the Burundian border, along with Rwandan military support, risks escalating the conflict into a broader regional war.

Rwanda rejected the accusations, arguing that the sanctions misrepresent the situation and unfairly target one side.

Recent drone strikes have also heightened tensions. A French national working for the United Nations and two other people were killed in attacks last week.

The Congolese army has carried out long-range drone strikes on M23 positions, while security sources said the group has also deployed explosive drones on front lines.

BBC News Africa and agencies, Maghrebi.org