Washington D.C., USA – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have taken a significant step towards de-escalating the long-standing conflict in eastern DRC, signing a provisional peace agreement in Washington D.C. late on Wednesday. The breakthrough follows three days of intensive and “constructive dialogue regarding political, security, and economic interests,” according to a joint statement released by both nations and the United States Department of State.
The draft agreement addresses critical issues essential for lasting peace, including provisions for disarmament, the integration of non-state armed groups, and the safe return of refugees and internally displaced people.
Eastern DRC has been a crucible of conflict for decades, fueled by numerous armed groups vying for control over its vast natural resources. The situation dramatically escalated earlier this year when the M23 rebel group, which Rwanda denies supporting, seized the key city of Goma in January, followed by the strategic town of Bukavu weeks later. This intensification of hostilities has led to thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
Accusations of severe human rights abuses have plagued various parties to the conflict. A May report from Amnesty International specifically accused M23 of torturing and killing civilians, stating these acts “violate international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.” Just this week, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk implicated not only the rebels but also DRC troops and allied armed groups in human rights violations, urging all sides to commit to an immediate ceasefire and resume negotiations while respecting international humanitarian and human rights law.
The United States has been a key facilitator in these peace efforts, aiming to halt the violence and unlock substantial Western investment in eastern DRC, a region rich in vital minerals such as cobalt, copper, gold, and lithium. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has championed the dual goals of peace and investment as a “win-win” scenario. As part of this diplomatic push, US envoy to Africa Massad Boulos visited both the DRC and Rwanda in April, notably urging Kigali to cease its alleged support for the M23 rebels.
While the current agreement offers a glimmer of hope, it’s worth noting the fragility of past peace attempts. Since 2021, the African countries have agreed to at least six truces, none of which have endured. Angola previously mediated these efforts, stepping down in March, with the US and Qatar now leading the charge for peace.
The draft agreement is slated for formal signing on June 27 by ministers from the DRC and Rwanda, with Secretary Rubio in attendance, underscoring the international community’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the conflict.
