DR Congo and Rwanda Establish Peace Initiatives: The recently signed agreement comes in response to a significant advance by Rwandan-supported M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This pact is anticipated to attract substantial public and private investments from the United States to a region abundant in minerals such as tantalum and gold, as stated in the final document.
This development fosters optimism that the ongoing cycle of violence, stemming from a long-standing conflict linked to the Rwandan genocide, may subside.
Nevertheless, past appeals for ceasefires have not resulted in a lasting cessation of hostilities.
Both nations also agreed to investigate a collaborative security coordination framework aimed at addressing armed groups and criminal enterprises.
The agreement was formalised at a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also signed as a witness, alongside the foreign ministers of both countries.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe indicated that this agreement paves the way for a comprehensive peace settlement.
“We are in discussions about creating new regional economic value chains that will connect our nations, including investment from the American private sector,” he stated.
The Declaration
The document is a commitment by the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda (the Participants) to pursue a pathway to peace, stability, and integrated economic development in eastern DRC, as well as to restore normal bilateral relations. The signing of this agreement underscores the political commitment of the Participants as outlined herein.
Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity, and Governance
The Participants mutually recognise one another’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, pledging to resolve their differences through diplomatic and negotiated means rather than through force. They affirm their established territorial boundaries and agree to avoid actions or statements that could undermine these borders. Each Participant acknowledges the other’s sovereign right to govern its territory without infringing upon the other’s sovereignty and commits to non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
Security Concerns
The Participants recognise their legitimate security concerns along their shared border and commit to addressing these issues in a manner that respects both nations’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. They agree that peace, security, and stability are vital for enhancing legitimate trade and fostering broader regional economic cooperation. Furthermore, they share an interest in curbing the proliferation of non-state armed groups across their borders and commit to refraining from providing military support to such groups. The Participants also agree to explore the creation of a joint security coordination mechanism to combat non-state armed groups and criminal organizations that threaten their security.
Regional Economic Integration Framework
The Participants are committed to establishing a phased regional economic integration framework that builds on existing initiatives like the ICGLR, COMESA, and EAC. This framework aims to enhance foreign trade and investment for both nations while promoting transparency to ensure mutual benefits from the region’s natural resources through collaborative partnerships and investment opportunities. They foresee this framework being complemented by significant investments, including those facilitated by the U.S. government and private sector, aimed at revitalizing the regional economy for the benefit of all involved countries.
The Participants will also explore opportunities to connect this framework with other international or regional economic development initiatives, particularly in infrastructure. They commit to initiate or expand cooperation on shared priorities, including hydropower development, national park management, risk mitigation in mineral supply chains, and establishing formalized and transparent mineral value chains that link both nations, in collaboration with the U.S. government and American investors.
Return of IDPs and Refugees
The Participants, with support from UN agencies and relevant humanitarian organizations, pledge to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes in eastern DRC once peace is restored, as well as assisting DRC citizens displaced by conflict currently residing in Rwanda or other countries, in accordance with international legal standards.
MONUSCO and Regional Forces and Mechanisms
The Participants agree to support MONUSCO in line with its mandate and commit to safeguarding, facilitating, and promoting MONUSCO’s capacity to protect civilian populations and fulfill all obligations assigned by the UN Security Council. They also pledge to protect and promote the effectiveness of MONUSCO and regional forces in accordance with their respective mandates, including the establishment of a verification mechanism and inter-positional forces to facilitate the good faith implementation of these principles by both Participants and non-state armed groups.
Peace Agreement
To advance these principles, and in alignment with the Nairobi Process and the Luanda Process—now integrated under the EAC-SADC framework as endorsed by the African Union—considering the ongoing Doha talks involving the governments of DRC, Rwanda, and M23/AFC, and in collaboration with the U.S. government, the Participants commit to coordinate through existing channels to produce an initial draft Peace Agreement for mutual review by May 2.
To resolve any disagreements regarding the draft, the Participants will convene at the Foreign Minister level in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Department of State.
