(MENAFN) The United Nations has praised a newly signed peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda as a significant advancement toward resolving the region’s enduring conflict. The deal, brokered in Washington and signed Friday by both countries' foreign ministers, was hailed as “a major step forward” by the UN.

“As tensions persist, the front lines and negotiations are shifting, opening up a path to peace,” Bintou Keita, the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy and head of the UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), stated during a briefing to the UN Security Council.

Keita commended the U.S. for its central role in facilitating the accord, emphasizing its importance in the region’s stability. “I would like to commend the tireless efforts of the US in facilitating this agreement, which marks a decisive step toward peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Great Lakes region,” she said.

Calling for unity among neighboring states, Keita urged leaders to “promote a climate of tolerance,” and added: “We need to promote dialogue rather than division, and actively work towards national cohesion.”

Reaffirming her previous appeals, Keita pushed lawmakers to pass legal measures targeting tribalism, racism, and xenophobia—calling it “an essential step towards preventing the abuses which threaten national unity.”

Turning attention to the dire humanitarian crisis, Keita statetd that the situation in the DRC “is untenable throughout the country,” pointing out that 27.8 million people are facing food insecurity, and 1.4 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition.

She also warned that the humanitarian response plan for 2024 is critically underfunded—currently at just 11%—after a major donor, which previously provided 70% of the funding, halted support.

“The path to lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo requires shared responsibility. It demands collective action,” Keita emphasized.

Despite recent improvements in MONUSCO’s operational readiness, Keita noted the mission remains fully committed to supporting peace initiatives, stating that they are “sustained by the decisions and will of this Council.”

The DRC-Rwanda peace agreement aims to bring an end to violent clashes in eastern Congo and outlines several key commitments: mutual respect for territorial boundaries, a ceasefire, the disarmament of non-state armed factions, the creation of a joint security coordination mechanism, and the restoration of refugee return, humanitarian access, and regional economic ties.

The conflict has escalated in recent months, with M23 rebels—central to the unrest—capturing large swaths of territory since December, including strategic urban centers Goma and Bukavu in North and South Kivu. These gains have exacerbated instability in an area long plagued by armed factions.

The Congolese government continues to accuse Rwanda of backing the M23 insurgents, a charge that Kigali firmly denies.

According to the UN, the ongoing violence has forced more than 7.8 million people from their homes.

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