DR Congo and Rwanda Take Steps Towards Peace Amid Ongoing Conflict

Thu Mar 19 2026 12:25:52 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a bid to alleviate ongoing tensions stemming from the conflict in eastern DR Congo, representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have committed to coordinated steps aimed at fostering peace, following discussions in the U.S. This pact highlights the importance of respecting sovereignty amidst a landscape shaded by military actions and accusations of support for insurgent factions.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have pledged to take concrete measures to ease tensions following a series of peace talks in Washington, D.C. Despite a prior peace agreement last year, the conflict in eastern DR Congo remains unresolved, compounded by accusations against Rwanda for supporting the M23 rebel group. The new agreement includes commitments to respect territorial integrity and address the threat posed by armed groups, particularly the FDLR, which Rwanda labels as a genocidal militia.

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, which has been blamed for escalating the conflict.

A joint statement by DR Congo, Rwanda, and the US has confirmed their agreement to a series of coordinated actions to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground. They emphasized respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Rwanda has agreed to withdraw its forces and lift defensive measures in defined areas on DR Congo's territory, while DR Congo will intensify efforts to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group active in eastern DR Congo.

Rwanda describes the FDLR as a genocidal militia and believes its continued existence threatens its security.

Despite ongoing accusations, Rwanda denies supporting M23, stating that its military presence in DR Congo is a defensive measure against threats from armed groups. Fighting has persisted in eastern DR Congo, reflecting the complexities of the ongoing conflict, including a recent escalation involving the M23 entering Uvira city before retracting under US pressure.

Earlier this month, while announcing the Rwandan sanctions, the US warned that the M23's presence near the Burundi border, along with Rwandan military support, carried the risk of escalating the conflict into a broader regional war. Rwanda, however, has rejected these accusations, deeming the sanctions as biased and misrepresentative of the situation on the ground. They claim DR Congo has violated the peace agreement through aggressive military actions.