Congo (DRC) and Rwanda sign peace agreement

Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a comprehensive peace agreement in Washington, the capital of the United States, on the 27th, pledging to end the 30-year conflict and promote peace and stability in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The agreement will take effect immediately after signing.

Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nduhongirehe, Congo (DRC) Minister of State and Foreign Minister Wagner and US Secretary of State Rubio attended the signing ceremony. Some African Union and Qatari government officials and US congressmen also attended the event that day.

The content of the agreement includes: respecting each other’s territorial integrity, stopping hostilities, promoting the disengagement of warring forces, disarming and conditionally reorganizing illegal armed organizations; establishing a permanent joint security coordination mechanism; promoting the safe and orderly return of refugees and internally displaced persons in the two countries to their homes, and ensuring humanitarian access. The appendix to the agreement lists plans to weaken and disarm the Rwandan anti-government forces “Rwanda Democratic Liberation Forces” and arrangements for Rwanda to gradually lift its defense measures.

Nduhongirehai said that the agreement was reached with the coordinated efforts of multiple parties including Qatar. He pointed out that the core of the agreement is to establish a permanent joint security coordination mechanism and launch operations against the “Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda” as soon as possible. He said that Rwanda will cooperate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to promote the safe and orderly return of refugees, while strengthening economic cooperation with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and international investors.

Wagner said that the agreement is an important achievement following the signing of the Declaration of Principles by both parties in April this year, marking the transition of the peace roadmap from vision to reality. She stressed that the agreement is not only a commitment, but also a responsibility, which must be implemented through practical actions.