Keypoints:
- Draft peace pact signed in Washington
- Final deal to be signed on June 27
- US and Qatar praised for mediation
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a draft peace agreement following US-brokered negotiations aimed at ending years of cross-border conflict. The preliminary deal, initialled on June 18, was witnessed by US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, according to a statement from the US State Department.
A formal ministerial signing is set for June 27, 2025, and will be observed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC
‘This agreement is the result of sustained dialogue and a shared commitment to peace, security, and regional prosperity,’ the US State Department said. ‘We commend both the DRC and Rwanda for engaging in good faith negotiations and recognising the urgent need for stability in eastern Congo.’
Deal tackles armed groups, refugees, and regional trade
The agreement builds on an earlier Declaration of Principles signed on April 25 by Congo’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, also under US auspices.
According to the statement, the new agreement includes commitments to:
- Respect territorial integrity and end hostilities
- Disengage and disarm non-state armed groups, with conditional integration
- Establish a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism, based on the October 31, 2024 CONOPS
- Facilitate the return of refugees and internally displaced persons
- Guarantee humanitarian access and promote regional economic integration
‘This is not just a security pact,’ a senior US official said. ‘It’s a blueprint for a more stable and cooperative future in Central Africa.’
Qatar joins peace process alongside US
The State of Qatar also took part in the June 18 signing as part of a broader coordination with the United States. Both governments praised Qatar’s role in ensuring aligned efforts for peace.
‘We welcome the valuable contributions of Qatar and their continued partnership in promoting peace,’ the statement read. ‘This collaboration highlights the importance of multilateral diplomacy in resolving regional conflicts.’
Regional summit planned to sustain peace efforts
The State Department also announced plans for a Summit of Heads of State in Washington, D.C., later this year, aimed at consolidating peace and expanding economic ties across the Great Lakes region.
‘The ministerial signing on June 27 will not mark the end, but rather the beginning of a renewed commitment to peace and prosperity,’ the statement said. ‘We look forward to continued progress and to seeing the region move beyond conflict.’
If finalised and implemented, the deal could signal a major breakthrough in one of Africa’s longest-running crises, and provide a model for international peace facilitation.
