Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to begin implementing a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) on 1 October, as part of efforts to stabilise the conflict-hit eastern DRC.
The agreement,was reached in a meeting in Washington on September 17-18 , according Reuters, follows high-level talks held in Washington, DC, earlier this month, with mediation led by the United States and supported by Qatar, Togo and the African Union.
The joint plan is designed to dismantle the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group long active in eastern Congo. The operation is scheduled to run between 21 and 31 October, with the aim of achieving its objectives before the end of the year.
Reuters revealed that, this step is part of a broader peace agreement signed in June 2025, which commits Rwanda to withdraw its forces from eastern DRC and end any support for the M23 rebel movement. In return, Kinshasa is expected to work alongside Kigali to remove FDLR fighters, who are seen by Rwanda as a direct security threat.
Officials from both countries say the success of the operation will depend on close coordination and on international backing. The desired outcomes include eliminating the FDLR presence, restoring DRC’s authority in the east, and rebuilding trust between Kigali and Kinshasa after years of tension.
The implementation of the CONOPS is being viewed as a critical test of whether the peace roadmap agreed in Washington can bring lasting stability to the Great Lakes region.
