The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take concrete steps to ease tensions amid a stalled peace process, after talks hosted by the US in Washington. Conflict in eastern DR Congo has continued despite the two countries signing a peace deal with US President Donald Trump last year. The pledge to ease tensions comes after the US earlier this month sanctioned the Rwandan Defence Forces and four senior officials and accused Rwanda of directly supporting the M23 rebel group, blaming it for escalating the conflict.
A joint statement by DR Congo, Rwanda, and the US states they have agreed to a series of coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground. They pledged to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, with Rwanda agreeing to disengage its forces and lift defensive measures... in defined areas in DR Congo's territory. In turn, DR Congo will intensify time-bound efforts to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Rwanda regards the FDLR as a genocidal militia, claiming its presence threatens Rwanda's security. Despite overwhelming evidence, Rwanda denies supporting M23 rebels, asserting its military presence is defensive against threats from armed factions in DR Congo. Fighting has continued despite a December peace accord aimed at stabilizing the region, which saw M23 rebels temporarily take control of significant territory, including cities such as Goma and Bukavu.
The US has warned that ongoing conflict risks escalating into a broader regional war. Rwanda has criticized the sanctions as biased, claiming they misrepresent the reality of the situation and accuse DR Congo of violating the peace agreement.
A joint statement by DR Congo, Rwanda, and the US states they have agreed to a series of coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground. They pledged to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, with Rwanda agreeing to disengage its forces and lift defensive measures... in defined areas in DR Congo's territory. In turn, DR Congo will intensify time-bound efforts to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Rwanda regards the FDLR as a genocidal militia, claiming its presence threatens Rwanda's security. Despite overwhelming evidence, Rwanda denies supporting M23 rebels, asserting its military presence is defensive against threats from armed factions in DR Congo. Fighting has continued despite a December peace accord aimed at stabilizing the region, which saw M23 rebels temporarily take control of significant territory, including cities such as Goma and Bukavu.
The US has warned that ongoing conflict risks escalating into a broader regional war. Rwanda has criticized the sanctions as biased, claiming they misrepresent the reality of the situation and accuse DR Congo of violating the peace agreement.
