The peace agreement recently concluded between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda represents a preliminary but crucial phase in the quest to stabilise Africa’s troubled Great Lakes region. Described as “only a beginning” by DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the accord was formalised in Washington on 27 June 2025, with both parties agreeing to a framework aimed at ending protracted cycles of violence and displacement.
At a press conference in Kinshasa on 3 July, Wagner articulated both the promise and the challenges embedded in the agreement. While acknowledging the symbolic significance of the accord, she stressed that its success depends on rigorous implementation, stating: “The real work starts now.”
A central element of the deal stipulates the phased withdrawal of Rwandan military forces from the conflict-affected provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, areas that have borne the brunt of recurring insurgencies. The withdrawal will occur in three discrete stages, designed to synchronise with joint operations—conducted by Congolese forces and international partners—targeting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia with historical links to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The agreement also mandates the immediate disarmament of all Congolese militias. Prospective combatants seeking reintegration into the national army or police services will be subjected to individual vetting processes, explicitly excluding individuals implicated in grave human rights violations. This provision aims to establish accountability while avoiding impunity—a recurrent critique of past demobilisation programmes in the region.
Humanitarian considerations form an additional pillar of the accord. The framework outlines a structured and voluntary repatriation initiative for approximately 250,000 refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). These individuals, many of whom have languished in makeshift camps, are to be assisted through the reopening of humanitarian corridors in high-conflict zones. The strategy reflects a broader regional goal of restoring human security and facilitating post-conflict reconstruction.
The peace initiative has emerged amid a complex web of accusations and historical grievances. The Congolese government continues to allege that Kigali provides logistical and military support to the M23 rebel group, whose resurgence since 2021 has destabilised the eastern provinces. Rwanda has consistently denied these claims, asserting instead that the Congolese military collaborates with the FDLR, a group Kigali designates as a terrorist threat to its national security.
Recent months have witnessed a sharp intensification of hostilities, with the M23 launching coordinated offensives across North and South Kivu, displacing tens of thousands and aggravating an already dire humanitarian situation. The United Nations and the African Union have both expressed cautious optimism regarding the new agreement, though they underscore the necessity of sustained diplomatic engagement.
In a bid to maintain diplomatic momentum, a follow-up summit between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame is scheduled to take place in Washington “in the coming weeks,” Wagner confirmed. The summit is expected to consolidate monitoring mechanisms and reinforce mutual commitments under the new accord.
The Great Lakes region, encompassing parts of the DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, has long been afflicted by militarised politics, illicit mineral exploitation, and mass displacement. The current agreement marks one of the most significant bilateral efforts to curb the escalation of conflict in nearly a decade.
While the path to enduring peace remains fraught with uncertainties, the commitment to dialogue and phased demilitarisation represents a notable shift from past breakdowns in trust and cooperation.
As Wagner concluded: “We will keep pushing to translate this accord into lasting peace, sustainable development and the full pacification of the eastern provinces and the wider Great Lakes region.”
