Skip to content
Washington, D.C. – Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) signed an agreement Friday. The nations pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty. They also set a target date of May 2, 2025, to finalize a draft peace deal.
Agreement Signed Amid Conflict
The foreign ministers from both countries signed the Rwanda DR Congo agreement. The ceremony occurred in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio witnessed the signing. Link to US State Dept. statement
This action follows months of increased violence in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized mineral-rich territory there. The conflict displaced hundreds of thousands of people. The new agreement commits both sides to use dialogue to resolve disputes. They agreed to prevent more sovereignty violations.
Fighting Reported Despite Pact
Reports indicated continued fighting Friday in North Kivu province. This situation highlights the difficult peace process. Relations between Rwanda and DR Congo have been poor for years.
The Washington Rwanda DR Congo agreement is a step. However, officials report approximately 7,000 people killed since January. M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda despite denials, control major cities like Goma and Bukavu. This control worsens the humanitarian crisis and complicates peace efforts.
Investment Plans and Peace Hopes
The new Rwanda DR Congo agreement includes plans for regional investment. The U.S. government and private sector partners will support these investments.
Earlier this week, the DR Congo government and the M23 group stated renewed commitments to peace. These statements created some hope for a ceasefire. The long conflict causes widespread suffering. International actions like the Washington agreement may help create stability.
Abiodun Labi
