DR Congo and Rwanda Pursue Diplomacy to Alleviate Tensions After US Talks

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take concrete steps to ease tensions amid a stalled peace process, after talks hosted by the US in Washington.

Conflict in eastern DR Congo has continued despite the two countries signing a peace deal with US President Donald Trump last year.

The pledge to ease tensions comes after the US earlier this month sanctioned the Rwandan Defence Forces and four senior officials, accusing Rwanda of directly supporting the M23 rebel group, blamed for escalating the conflict.

A joint statement by DR Congo, Rwanda, and the US stated they have agreed to a series of coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground.

They pledged to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Rwanda committed to disengaging its forces and lifting defensive measures... in defined areas in DR Congo's territory.

In response, DR Congo would intensify time-bound efforts to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group involving Rwandan ethnic Hutus from the 1994 genocide that remains active in eastern DR Congo.

Rwanda describes the FDLR as a genocidal militia and claims its active presence in eastern DR Congo threatens its national security.

Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the M23 rebels despite significant evidence, asserting that its military presence is only defensive against threats from armed groups in DR Congo.

Fighting persists in eastern DR Congo, despite the US-brokered peace deal in December aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict. Just days after the agreement, the M23 captured the Congolese city of Uvira, escalating tensions. The group has since retreated under US pressure, yet still controls significant portions of eastern DR Congo, including key cities Goma and Bukavu.

The recent US sanctions highlighted that even though the M23 withdrew, Rwandan military support could lead to a broader regional conflict.

Rwanda rejected the US accusations as biased and misleading, asserting that they mischaracterize the reality of the conflict, while DR Congo is accused of violating peace accords with attacks from drones and ground forces.