The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda are set to sign a formal peace agreement on 27 June 2025 in Washington, in a move aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
The agreement, which follows three days of negotiations facilitated by the United States, is intended to de-escalate tensions and halt fighting between Congolese government forces and the M23 rebel group. The rebel group, which has seized territory in the mineral-rich region, is alleged by Congolese officials and the United Nations to have received backing from Rwanda an accusation Kigali continues to deny.
In a joint statement issued alongside the US State Department, both countries confirmed their intention to endorse the peace framework, which includes provisions for respecting national sovereignty, halting hostilities, and establishing a joint mechanism to oversee the disarmament and reintegration of armed groups.
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“The agreement represents a major step towards stability in the region,” the statement said.
The eastern DRC has suffered from decades of violence involving more than 100 armed groups, with over seven million people displaced by the fighting. Earlier peace efforts including talks mediated by Qatar collapsed due to lack of formal political commitment.
The upcoming signing is expected to take place at the ministerial level and will be attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reflecting Washington’s continued engagement in seeking a lasting solution to the conflict.
Observers say the agreement, if fully implemented, could pave the way for renewed cooperation between both nations and open the door for international investment in the DRC’s vast natural resources.
