DR Congo and Rwanda Reach Tentative Agreement Amid Ongoing Conflict

The foreign ministers of DR Congo and Rwanda have agreed to draft a peace deal by May 2, with hopes of enhancing investment and improving bilateral relations despite ongoing conflict driven by M23 rebels in eastern Congo.

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have signed a preliminary agreement to respect each other's sovereignty and to work towards a draft peace resolution by May 2. The agreement, which marks a notable step forward in diplomatic relations, was formalized in a ceremony attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, indicating international support for the peace process.

The signing comes in response to the deteriorating security situation in the eastern regions of DR Congo, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced due to the actions of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. As these rebels secured control over significant territories, including Goma and Bukavu—two of eastern Congo's largest cities—the government in Kinshasa sought assistance from the US in exchange for access to its mineral resources.

Despite the progress demonstrated by this agreement, reports indicate that fighting persisted in North Kivu province on the day the agreement was reached. Both the Congolese government and M23 have expressed a commitment to peace, signaling a potential path to a lasting ceasefire. Nevertheless, the decades-long conflict is fueled by accusations from DR Congo that Rwanda has been supporting the M23 rebels militarily, claims historically denied by Rwanda despite corroboration from both the UN and US sources.

In recent months, casualties have surged, with officials in eastern DR Congo reporting approximately 7,000 deaths since January. The ongoing violence has prompted urgent calls from both local and international actors to address the conflict, further complicated by underlying issues regarding resources and regional stability.