Officials from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have reached a draft peace agreement aimed at ending decades of violent conflict in the eastern region of DR Congo. The breakthrough was brokered by the United States and Qatar and centers on the “disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration” of various armed groups operating in the region.
Rwanda has long been accused of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has seized large swathes of eastern DR Congo in recent months, though Kigali denies these allegations. The agreement also proposes a joint security mechanism to help prevent future escalations, with the final signing expected next week.
Washington Talks Spark Hope for Peace and Investment Amid Deep-Rooted Regional Hostilities
The draft agreement was the result of three days of negotiations in Washington, D.C., where US and Qatari mediators facilitated dialogue on political, security, and economic interests. The US State Department announced that technical teams from both countries initialled the document, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend the formal signing.
This deal builds on an earlier agreement signed in April, in which both nations pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty and develop a comprehensive peace plan. If successful, the peace agreement could open the door for significant Western investment in eastern DR Congo, a region rich in minerals essential to the electronics industry.
Rwanda and DR Congo Move Toward Peace with US and Qatar Backing Amid Lingering TensionsThe long-standing conflict intensified earlier this year when the M23 rebel group seized control of key territories, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. Rwanda denies involvement with M23 and maintains its military presence in eastern DR Congo is to defend against the FDLR, a rebel group largely composed of ethnic Hutus linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
DR Congo, in turn, accuses Rwanda of direct military involvement and backing M23, while denying any support for the FDLR. These mutual accusations have deepened hostilities, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths and mass displacement in recent months.
Unresolved Issues Threaten Stability and Test Commitment to Long-Term Peace Agreement
Despite the progress, analysts caution that many crucial issues remain unresolved. The draft agreement leaves questions about whether M23 will withdraw from captured areas and whether Rwanda will admit to or remove its troops from Congolese territory.
Other uncertainties include how the disarmament of both M23 and FDLR will be implemented, the logistics of refugee repatriation, and whether humanitarian access will improve, including the reopening of Goma’s airport. These unanswered questions cast doubt on the long-term viability of the agreement, especially in light of past failed peace efforts between the two nations.
Previous peace initiatives between Rwanda and DR Congo have collapsed, often due to a lack of political will or differing interpretations of agreements. In 2024, under Angolan mediation, the two countries reached agreements on troop withdrawals and joint operations, but these were not ratified by ministers and ultimately dissolved. Angola’s withdrawal as a mediator underscores the fragility of such negotiations.
This new US-Qatar-backed initiative carries significant promise, but its success depends on genuine commitment from both sides and the resolution of lingering contentious issues, especially regarding armed groups and territorial control.