BY Faith Mwende
On April 25, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a U.S.-brokered agreement in Washington, committing to draft a peace deal by May 2 and to cease support for armed groups.
The accord, witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to stabilize eastern Congo, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have intensified conflict, leading to significant civilian displacement.
The agreement outlines the establishment of a joint security coordination mechanism to address armed and criminal groups, with the goal of restoring peace in the region. Both nations anticipate significant U.S. public and private investments in the mineral-rich area, including sectors like tantalum and gold.
Despite the agreement, fighting reportedly continued on April 25 in North Kivu province. Earlier this week, both the DRC and the M23 group expressed commitment to peace, hoping for a permanent ceasefire. However, officials in eastern DRC report that approximately 7,000 people have been killed since January, highlighting the urgency of effective implementation of the peace plan.
This development follows previous mediation efforts, including a meeting facilitated by Qatar in March between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, which led to a commitment to a ceasefire. The current agreement represents a significant step toward resolving the decades-long conflict in eastern Congo.
