Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies has unanimously ratified a peace accord with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking a significant diplomatic milestone aimed at easing persistent tensions and fostering long-term stability in the volatile Great Lakes Region. The legislation, endorsed by all 76 deputies in session on Tuesday, confirms Rwanda’s commitment to the agreement signed in Washington, D.C. on 27 June 2025.
According to Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, the agreement was brokered with the support of the United States, under the facilitation of Qatar, and endorsed by the African Union. The deal addresses multiple fronts of contention between Kigali and Kinshasa, including border security, allegations of state-sponsored militia support, and the broader humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.
“This is a major step towards restoring peace, security, and trust between Rwanda and the DRC,” Nduhungirehe told lawmakers during the parliamentary session. His comments followed questions from Members of Parliament regarding the operational and legal ramifications of the treaty. He cited past incidents—such as the burning of the Rwandan embassy in Kinshasa—as emblematic of the urgency for legally binding guarantees on diplomatic protection and mutual non-aggression.
The agreement—legally binding upon signing—requires both nations to form a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days. Central to the framework is mutual recognition of territorial integrity, immediate cessation of hostilities, and the disarmament and conditional integration of non-state armed groups. It also outlines modalities for the voluntary and safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons, alongside commitments to regional economic integration and cross-border development projects.
The peace accord further reaffirms the mandate of the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), whose presence in eastern DRC continues to serve as an international stabilisation force. MONUSCO’s role remains contested among various local and regional actors, but the new treaty underlines its continued importance in mediating transitional security.
Eastern DRC has long been afflicted by cyclical violence, exacerbated by the activities of the March 23 Movement (M23), a rebel group accused of reactivating its insurgency since late 2021. The DRC government maintains that Rwanda provides support to M23—a claim Rwanda has categorically denied, citing instead its own security concerns regarding hostile armed factions operating along the shared border.
The law now proceeds to Rwanda’s Senate for further legislative scrutiny and is expected to be ratified with broad support, given the unanimity in the Chamber of Deputies. If implemented effectively, the agreement could significantly alter the geopolitical dynamics of Central and East Africa, potentially offering a framework for other conflict-prone regions on the continent.
While optimism surrounds the accord, the onus remains on both parties to uphold their commitments under international observation. The African Union and international partners, including the United States and Qatar, are expected to monitor the early implementation phase closely.
