The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have recently signed a peace agreement brokered by the United States, potentially marking the conclusion of a conflict that has spanned three decades and claimed thousands of lives. The signing represents a pivotal moment in the pursuit of stability in the region, building on the Declaration of Principles agreed upon by both nations on April 25, 2025.
The peace accord seeks to foster lasting peace by resuming normal bilateral relations and promoting integrated economic development. Additionally, the agreement emphasizes the necessity to prevent renewed hostilities. An integral part of the agreement is the ongoing Qatar-mediated negotiations between the DRC and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (M23) in Doha. The recent violence escalations by M23 have underscored the urgency for a resolution, particularly after their seizure of the cities of Goma and Bukavu earlier this year.
Central to the agreement is the commitment to facilitate the safe, voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. The United Nations’ support will be instrumental in these efforts. US Senator Jim Risch, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, commended US President Donald Trump’s leadership following the agreement, acknowledging the opportunity it creates for enduring changes, while also highlighting that this alone does not immediately ensure peace. The senator’s views can be further explored in his statement.
The conflict in the DRC, which began in 1996 with the Rwandan invasion, has been exacerbated by the incursion of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in the early 2000s. The country’s abundant mineral wealth has been a significant factor fuelling this conflict. The ongoing undercurrents include a humanitarian crisis reflected in the displacement of 6.9 million people and substantial human rights concerns, including those documented by the escalation of violence against civilians.
While the agreement represents progress, critics caution that unresolved root causes such as militia proliferation, justice demands, and ethnic tensions remain. They warn against the reduction of the peace accord to a mere transactional exchange, especially given the anticipated US interest and investment in the DRC’s mineral sector. Furthermore, ongoing efforts by the International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan to investigate war crimes in the DRC are yet to yield substantial outcomes, indicating that the path to peace remains complex.
The full details of the agreement and its implications can be found in this news release by the US State Department.