Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reached a landmark provisional peace agreement in Washington, D.C., in a major diplomatic move aimed at ending conflict in eastern Congo and paving the way for regional economic integration.
The talks were mediated by the United States and observed by the State of Qatar.
The agreement, announced in a joint statement by the U.S. Department of State, was signed by technical teams from both countries on June 18, 2025.
It follows three days of negotiations and builds upon the Declaration of Principles signed on April 25, 2025. A formal Ministerial signing ceremony is scheduled for June 27, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to serve as a witness.
The provisional agreement could mark a breakthrough in negotiations spearheaded by President Donald Trump’s administration, which has prioritized ending the fighting in eastern Congo—a region rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium.
The deal is seen as a potential gateway to attracting billions of dollars in Western investment to the Great Lakes region.
The peace agreement addresses mutual respect for territorial integrity, a ban on hostilities, disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration of non-state armed groups, and establishment of a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism, incorporating the October 31, 2024 CONOPS.
The agreement also includes, addressing the humanitarian provisions to allow for the return of refugees and displaced persons, and plans for regional economic integration to stimulate development and trade
The State of Qatar played a key role as an observer, working in close coordination with U.S. diplomats to align peacebuilding efforts. Both DRC and Rwanda expressed appreciation for the collaborative role played by the U.S. and Qatar in advancing dialogue.
A Summit of Heads of State is expected to follow the formal signing, with leaders convening again in Washington to build on the momentum for peace, security, and shared economic prosperity in the Great Lakes region.
Rwanda and DRC reached two technical agreements last year under Angola’s mediation, calling for Rwandan troops withdrawal and joint action against the FDLR rebel group. However, both governments failed to ratify them.
Angola stepped down as mediator in March after repeated failed attempts to end the conflict, which escalated this year as M23 rebels—backed by Rwanda, according to DRC—captured key cities in eastern Congo.
Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is acting in self-defense against the Congolese army and Hutu militias linked to the 1994 Genocide aganist the Tutsi.
