The parties involved in implementing the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda welcomed the progress made on Thursday in Washington, D.C., while calling for continued de-escalation in eastern Congo.
Meeting on April 23 in the U.S. capital for the fifth session of the Joint Monitoring Committee, representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, along with the United States, Qatar, Togo (in its capacity as mediator for the African Union), and the African Union Commission (AUC), assessed the progress of the peace agreement signed on June 27, 2025, in Washington.
According to the U.S. State Department, the participants reviewed the progress made since the meetings of March 17 and 18, 2026, including the measures taken by Kinshasa and Kigali to reduce tensions and improve the security situation on the ground. Both sides provided updates on their respective actions to promote de-escalation.
Qatar, for its part, gave an update on the ongoing negotiations between the DRC and the armed group AFC/M23. Committee members expressed their strong support for this process, commending the role of the Doha talks in the overall implementation of the peace agreement, as well as Switzerland’s support in organizing the latest dialogue sessions.
The various parties reiterated their shared commitment to consolidating the gains made and continuing efforts toward a lasting return to stability in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.
Kinshasa and Kigali also expressed their gratitude to international partners for their continued support of the peace process.
AC/Sf/fss/as/APA