Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reaffirmed their commitment to advance peace, stability, and cooperation, following a new round of high-level talks under the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) held on October 21–22 in Washington, D.C.
The meeting, facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and the African Union Commission, marked the third JSCM session since the signing of the Washington Peace Agreement on June 27. Senior officials from both Kigali and Kinshasa reviewed progress since the September and early October meetings, assessing the first phase of implementation under the Operations Order (OPORD), the guiding document for the peace process.
According to a joint communiqué released after the meeting, the delegations reaffirmed their shared goal of neutralising the FDLR Militia, the UN and US-sanctioned terror group founded by extremists linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which has long destabilised Rwanda through cross-border attacks.
“Building on this foundation, the parties coordinated specific actions to lay the groundwork toward neutralizing the FDLR and lifting Rwanda’s defensive measures,” the statement read in part.
The Washington Peace Agreement, signed by Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and DRC’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, and witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, establishes a comprehensive framework for ending decades of insecurity in the Great Lakes region.
The accord reaffirms mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-aggression, while recognising the need for a negotiated, political solution to long-standing disputes rather than a military one. It commits both parties to cease all forms of support for armed groups and to settle disputes through agreed mechanisms under international law and African Union principles.
Under the agreement, the two countries are bound to implement the Harmonized Plan for the Neutralization of the FDLR and Disengagement of Forces, known as CONOPS, which outlines steps for disarmament, troop disengagement, and the eventual lifting of Rwanda’s defensive security posture along the border. The plan emerged from the 2024 Luanda Process and subsequent EAC–SADC ministerial summits.
A significant outcome of the peace framework is the establishment of a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM), a bilateral body tasked with coordinating operations, intelligence sharing, and verification of compliance. The mechanism, supported by facilitators from the U.S., Qatar, and the African Union, operates on the basis of transparency and joint planning.
The agreement further provides for a Joint Oversight Committee (JOC), mandated to monitor implementation, resolve disputes, and address violations. The committee includes representatives from the African Union, Qatar, and the United States as observers. Its first session is expected within 45 days of the agreement’s entry into force.
Both Kigali and Kinshasa have pledged to pursue an “irreversible and verifiable” end to all forms of state support to armed groups, particularly the FDLR, and to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The agreement also contains provisions addressing the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. Both countries, working with the UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies, are committed to facilitating the safe and voluntary return of refugeesand internally displaced persons. This includes Congolese and Rwandan refugees under the Tripartite Repatriation Agreementssigned in Kigali in 2010.
In addition, the DRC government pledged to ensure free and safe accessfor humanitarian actors providing emergency assistance to affected populations, while reaffirming the responsibility of national and local authorities to protect civilians.
The accord recognizes the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) as an essential partner in ensuring peace and civilian protection. Both parties agreed to facilitate MONUSCO’s operations and uphold its freedom of movement within the eastern DRC. The agreement also reaffirms commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 2773 (2025), supporting multilateral verification efforts and broader regional peacekeeping initiatives.
Beyond security, the Washington Agreement envisions a Regional Economic Integration Framework to be launched within three months of the accord’s entry into force. This framework aims to deepen bilateral and regional cooperation through projects aligned with AfCFTA, ICGLR, COMESA, and the East African Community (EAC).
The economic pillar prioritises joint initiatives in hydropower development, mineral supply chain transparency, cross-border trade, andshared natural resource management, including the sustainable use of Lake Kivu. It also calls for the establishment of independent anti-corruption and audit mechanisms to oversee mineral trade and infrastructure investments.
The JSCM communiqué confirmed that the next round of talks will take place on November 19–20, focusing on progress under Phase 2 of the OPORD, which will expand coordinated operations and joint monitoring in conflict-affected zones.
“The Governments of the DRC and Rwanda expressed their appreciation to the United States, Qatar, and the African Union for their continued support and facilitation of the peace process,” the joint statement concluded, adding that all parties remain committed to advancing “durable peace, stability, and prosperity” across the Great Lakes region.
