KIGALI/KINSHASA — The governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have agreed on a new set of coordinated measures aimed at easing tensions and advancing peace efforts in eastern Congo, following talks facilitated by the United States Department of State.
The breakthrough, announced on March 18, is part of renewed efforts to implement the stalled Washington Accords, a peace framework designed to end years of instability in the mineral-rich but conflict-prone region.
In a statement, U.S. officials said the two countries had committed to concrete actions on both sides. “The parties agreed to a series of coordinated steps to advance progress on the ground, including a mutual commitment to specific measures to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” a senior U.S. official noted.
Under the agreement, Rwanda is expected to withdraw its forces from designated areas inside Congolese territory. At the same time, the Congolese government has pledged to intensify operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group with roots in the Rwandan Genocide.
The U.S. statement emphasized that the steps would be implemented within agreed timelines. “This includes the scheduled disengagement of forces… by Rwanda in defined areas in DRC territory, and time-bound and intensified efforts by the DRC to neutralize the FDLR,” the official said.
Both sides also committed to prioritizing civilian protection in conflict-affected areas, where communities have endured years of violence involving multiple armed groups, including the M23 rebels.
The agreement comes amid longstanding accusations by Kinshasa that Kigali supports the M23 insurgency — claims Rwanda has repeatedly denied. Rwanda, on the other hand, has accused Congo of failing to address the threat posed by the FDLR.
Despite the renewed diplomatic push, analysts and observers remain cautious about the prospects for lasting peace, pointing to previous agreements that have faltered due to mistrust and delays in implementation.
However, U.S. officials described the latest development as a positive step forward. “These measures are aimed at building confidence and creating conditions necessary for sustainable peace,” the statement said.
For civilians in eastern Congo, where fighting has displaced millions, the announcement has sparked cautious hope that the latest commitments could finally translate into reduced violence on the ground.
