The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have agreed to a new set of coordinated measures to ease tensions, following the latest talks in Washington, D.C.
- •The deal from meetings held on March 17–18 outlines mutual commitments to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, alongside phased security actions on the ground.
- •These include the scheduled disengagement of forces and the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures in specified areas within Congolese territory, one of the key flashpoints in recent months.
- •In turn, Kinshasa pledged to intensify efforts to neutralise the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, an armed group Kigali has consistently cited as a security threat.
"The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a series of coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground. These efforts include a mutual commitment to specific measures to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," the US Department of State said in a statement on Wednesday March 18th.
Both governments also committed to the protection of civilians, a critical concern amid ongoing instability and displacement in eastern DRC, where multiple armed groups continue to operate.
The agreement builds on a broader diplomatic framework launched in December, when Donald Trump hosted the signing of the Washington Accords. The framework reinforces commitments to end decades of conflict while advancing economic cooperation and regional integration through initiatives such as the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF).
The accords were signed by Felix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, alongside a coalition of regional and international leaders, reflecting a broad-based push to stabilise the Great Lakes region and unlock its economic potential.
