Rwanda, DRC Renew Commitment to Execute Washington Peace Accord
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have agreed on specific measures to expedite the implementation of the Washington peace accords. This agreement was reached during meetings held in Washington on March 17 and 18.
A joint declaration released by both countries and the United States on March 18 outlines these developments. The two parties have outlined a series of coordinated actions aimed at “defusing the tensions” and “pushing forward the situation on the ground”.
The measures include a mutual agreement to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country, as well as the disengagement of Rwandan forces and the lifting of defensive measures in certain zones of eastern DRC. The authorities in Kinshasa are making some reinforced yet limited attempts to neutralise the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels.
The protection of civilians was reaffirmed as a priority. Both DRC and Rwanda reiterated their commitment to achieving lasting peace in the Great Lakes Region within the context of the Washington Accords.
This announcement comes amid persistent tensions in the eastern DRC. The Kinshasa authorities on Monday praised the sanctions imposed by the United States on the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) and several members of their officers accused of “direct involvement” on the side of the M23 rebels.
According to the Congolese government, these American measures constitute “a clear signal” in favour of the respect of the DRC’s sovereignty and the effective implementation of engagements taken within the context of the Washington Accords. It also insisted on the necessity for “coherence between diplomatic engagements and the operational realities on the ground”.
The government expressed its recognition of the United States’ role in the peace efforts and called for pursuing initiatives to ensure the respect of commitments and the re-establishment of a durable peace in the region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed on measures to implement the Washington peace accords, aiming to reduce tensions and improve the situation in eastern DRC.
Key actions include respecting each country’s sovereignty, Rwandan forces’ disengagement, and the protection of civilians. This agreement was supported by a joint declaration with the United States on March 18. Amid ongoing tensions, the DRC lauded U.S. sanctions against the Rwandan Defence Forces and officers accused of siding with M23 rebels, interpreting this as a commitment to respecting DRC’s sovereignty.
The Congolese government emphasized the importance of diplomatic coherence and applauded the U.S. role in peace efforts, urging further initiatives towards achieving lasting peace in the region.