Keypoints:
- Kagame pledges to fulfil Rwanda’s commitments
- Agreement mandates troop withdrawal, security measures
- Regional actors responsible for peace
RWANDAN President Paul Kagame has pledged that Rwanda will honour its part of a peace accord with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), signed in Washington on June 27, 2025. Speaking publicly for the first time since the signing, Kagame said the US-brokered deal addresses the key political, security and economic drivers of instability in eastern Congo.
‘I want to be clear: you will never find Rwanda at fault with implementing what we have agreed to do,’ Kagame told journalists in Kigali. He vowed that Kigali will proceed as promised—but warned if Kinshasa backtracks, Rwanda will react accordingly .
What the Washington Accord covers
The landmark agreement contains several crucial commitments:
- Troop withdrawal: Rwanda will withdraw military forces from eastern DRC within 90 days.
- Cessation of hostilities: Both sides agree to an immediate ceasefire.
- Security mechanism: A joint coordination body will be established within 30 days.
- Disarmament efforts: Non‑state militias, including M23 and FDLR, must be neutralised.
- Economic cooperation: Framework to open mineral-rich eastern Congo to regulated Western investment.
Kagame praised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former President Trump for their roles, highlighting Washington’s efforts to tackle the multidimensional roots of the conflict.
Not just US responsibility
Kagame emphasised that although the deal was brokered in the US, implementation rests with regional actors.
‘Even if it doesn’t work, I don’t think the US should be blamed… It’s our task—DRC or Rwanda—to implement our part of the bargain,’ Kagame said.
Kinshasa backs accord
DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba affirmed Kinshasa’s dedication to translating the accord into lasting peace and growth in the eastern provinces and the broader Great Lakes region. The DRC also plans to continue talks with M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, in Doha—aiming to bring them into full compliance.
Heavy stakes in eastern Congo
Eastern Congo has endured decades of violence, heightened since the M23 resurgence in early 2021. By February 2025, clashes had displaced over 500,000 people and caused more than 3,000 deaths . Regions like Goma and Bukavu have endured repeated offensives tied to allegations of Rwandan military backing—claims Kigali denies.
Analysts urge vigilance
Observers caution that the peace deal’s success hinges on more than formal pledges. UN experts have raised concerns over continued Rwandan influence in rebel operations and mineral smuggling, even as the accord moves forward. Critics note the deal’s lack of explicit justice measures and inclusion of M23, a key player in the conflict.
Kagame himself has warned the agreement is fragile, saying it depends on ‘goodwill from all parties’ and the reciprocal fulfilment of commitments .
Road ahead
With Rwanda’s forces due to pull out and security mechanisms due for setup, the queue of implementation milestones begins. Doha negotiations between the DRC and M23, US-backed investment in minerals, and regional enforcement of disarmament will test the accord’s promise.
For now, Kagame’s emphatic pledge positions Rwanda as a willing enforcer. But analysts and Congolese victims will be watching closely—will this truce mark the start of genuine peace, or yet another pause in a cycle of violence?
