DR Congo, Rwanda Pledge Efforts to Ease Tensions After Washington Talks

(MENAFN) The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take “concrete steps” to ease rising tensions and advance stalled peace efforts after discussions hosted by the United States in Washington.

Despite a peace agreement signed with US President Donald Trump last year, conflict continues to flare in eastern DR Congo. The recent pledge follows US sanctions earlier this month against the Rwandan Defence Forces and four senior officials, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group and contributing to escalating violence.

A joint statement from DR Congo, Rwanda, and the US confirmed that the parties “agreed to a series of coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground.” The statement emphasized mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Rwanda committed to withdrawing its forces and lifting “defensive measures… in defined areas in DR Congo’s territory,” while DR Congo promised to step up “time-bound” efforts against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group including some Rwandan ethnic Hutus involved in the 1994 genocide and still active in eastern DR Congo.

Rwanda describes the FDLR as a “genocidal militia,” warning that its presence in eastern DR Congo poses a threat to Rwandan security. The country has consistently denied supporting M23, framing its military presence as a defensive response to security threats from armed groups within DR Congo.

Despite the US-brokered peace agreement in December aimed at ending the protracted conflict, fighting has persisted. Shortly after the signing, M23 forces captured the Congolese city of Uvira near the Burundi border, marking the largest escalation in months. Under US pressure, the group later withdrew, though it continues to control significant portions of eastern DR Congo, including the region’s largest cities, Goma and Bukavu.

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