The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Rwanda have agreed to take practical steps to reduce tensions in eastern DR Congo, following talks held in Washington and hosted by the United States. The agreement comes amid ongoing violence in the region, even though the two countries signed a US-backed peace deal last year.
According to a joint statement from DR Congo, Rwanda, and the US, both countries committed to a series of coordinated actions aimed at easing conflict and promoting stability on the ground. They pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty and territory. Rwanda agreed to withdraw some of its forces and remove defensive measures from certain areas inside DR Congo. At the same time, DR Congo promised to intensify targeted efforts against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia group composed partly of Rwandan ethnic Hutus who were involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The FDLR remains active in eastern DR Congo, and Rwanda considers it a serious threat to its national security.
The announcement comes after the US earlier this month imposed sanctions on the Rwandan Defense Forces and four senior officials. Washington accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has been a major driver of violence in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda denies these allegations, saying its military actions are purely defensive and aimed at protecting its borders from armed groups. It also criticized the US sanctions as unfair and claimed that DR Congo has violated the previous peace deal through drone attacks and ground offensives.
The fighting in eastern DR Congo has continued despite the December peace agreement. Shortly after the signing, M23 rebels captured the city of Uvira, near the border with Burundi, marking the largest escalation in months. They later withdrew under US pressure but still control large parts of eastern DR Congo, including the major cities of Goma and Bukavu.
Tensions have risen recently because of deadly drone attacks. One strike claimed the lives of a French UN worker and two others. Both the DR Congo army and M23 rebels are using explosive drones. Such activity is making the front lines very dangerous.
The US has warned that M23 fighters near the Rwandan and Burundian borders could spark a bigger regional war. Rwanda is also accused of supporting the group. Both countries now promise to follow the de-escalation plan. But the situation in eastern DR Congo is still fragile, with ongoing tensions and violence that threaten the stability of the region. The peace process will only work if all sides stick to the agreements made in Washington.
