The Government of Rwanda says it is optimistic about the new peace agreement recently signed with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing the involvement of a powerful diplomatic actor and key differences compared to past agreements, especially the current direct talks between DRC and the AFC/M23 rebel group.
On Friday, June 27, 2025, Rwanda and the DRC signed a permanent peace agreement in Washington, USA, marking a historic effort to resolve long-standing conflict in eastern DRC.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, who represented Rwanda at the signing, highlighted key differences in this new deal:
“First of all, the Washington agreement goes hand in hand with other ongoing processes, including the talks in Doha between the AFC/M23 and the Congolese Government. You’ll recall that during the Luanda talks, the Congolese Government had categorically refused to negotiate with the AFC/M23. That position has changed, and that gives us confidence that inclusive talks will now take place to restore peace in eastern Congo.”
He added: “Secondly, the United States of America is a mediator in these talks and in this agreement. The U.S. has invested significant diplomatic effort, and it has the power to ensure that all parties, especially the DRC implement this agreement, unlike in the past where agreements were often ignored.”
Another new component in the agreement is the Regional Economic Integration Framework, which aims to promote development cooperation between Rwanda and the DRC. This includes tourism (like joint park management), the sustainable use of Lake Kivu resources, and collaboration in mining.
M23 Issue Key to Long-Term Peace
Ambassador Nduhungirehe emphasized that the agreement includes commitment to the ongoing Doha talks between the DRC and AFC/M23, which aim to resolve historical grievances especially those of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, particularly Tutsi often at the root of the eastern DRC conflict.
“They will discuss how to address the root causes of the conflict. This gives hope that solutions will be found at the core of the region’s issues, and that Rwanda and Congo will also resolve security concerns between them especially the FDLR issue.”
A document previously agreed upon between Rwanda and DRC, titled CONOPS (Concept of Operations) and signed on November 25, 2024, in Luanda, outlines military cooperation in dismantling the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda).
Nduhungirehe said this plan to eliminate the FDLR would lead Rwanda to withdraw its defensive measures:
“It’s not a vague document. It details the dismantling of the FDLR and the lifting of defensive measures, including a timeline of 90 days. This was mutually agreed upon, and if the Congolese Government is willing, Rwanda has no objection.”
However, while Rwanda insists the FDLR must be dismantled first, the Congolese Government wants Rwanda to remove its defensive measures before that step. Rwanda maintains that the terms are already clear in the agreement.
Rwanda has repeatedly stated that its defensive posture was in response to security threats posed by the FDLR, a group composed of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who are still intent on destabilizing Rwanda. The government says it will lift these measures once those threats are removed.
Brenna AKARABO
RADIOTV10
