The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have signed an agreement aimed at advancing the peace process in the eastern DRC, according to Angola, which has been mediating the ceasefire.
Since 2021, the M23 rebel group, supported by Kigali and largely composed of ethnic Tutsi fighters, has taken control of significant areas in eastern DRC, leading to displacement and a humanitarian crisis.
In August, Angola facilitated a fragile ceasefire that temporarily stabilized the frontlines. However, by late October, the M23 resumed its offensive, continuing localized attacks. Despite the ceasefire violations, the DRC and Rwanda have maintained diplomatic dialogue through Angola’s mediation.
In early November, the two countries established a joint committee to monitor ceasefire violations, led by Angola, with representatives from both the DRC and Rwanda.
On Monday, the foreign ministers of both countries approved an operational document outlining the conditions for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory, although specific details regarding the procedure have not been disclosed.
An earlier draft of the peace plan, dated August, proposed the dismantling of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia formed by former Hutu fighters involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as a condition for Rwanda’s withdrawal. The FDLR has been fighting alongside the Congolese military against the M23.
For over 30 years, eastern DRC, known for its mineral wealth, has experienced ongoing violence, involving both local and cross-border militias.
