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US-brokered talks yield pledge to ease Congo-Rwanda tensions
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to implement concrete measures to lower hostilities following discussions facilitated by the United States in Washington. The move comes amid a stalled peace process and rising accusations over rebel support in eastern Congo.
Key commitments in joint statement
A trilateral statement released by the two nations and the US outlines a roadmap to de-escalate the conflict. Both countries pledged to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Rwanda committed to withdrawing its forces and lifting defensive measures in specified areas of Congolese territory.
In return, the DR Congo agreed to accelerate efforts to dismantle the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militant group active in eastern Congo that includes remnants of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Rwanda has long cited the FDLR's presence as a threat to its security.
US sanctions and accusations of rebel support
The agreement follows US sanctions imposed earlier this month on the Rwandan Defence Forces and four senior officials. Washington accused Rwanda of directly backing the M23 rebel group, which it blamed for fueling the conflict. Rwanda has consistently denied the allegations, calling the sanctions unfair and misleading.
Despite overwhelming evidence, Rwanda maintains its military presence in eastern Congo is a defensive response to threats posed by armed groups, including the FDLR. The US warned that continued Rwandan support for M23 risks expanding the conflict into a regional war.
Escalation despite peace deal
Fighting in eastern Congo has persisted despite a US-brokered peace agreement signed in December. Days after the deal was finalized, M23 forces seized the Congolese city of Uvira near the Burundian border, marking the conflict's most significant escalation in months. While the group later withdrew under US pressure, it still controls key areas, including the regional hubs of Goma and Bukavu.
Tensions have further intensified following drone strikes in recent weeks. Last week, a French national working for the UN and two others were killed in an attack. The Congolese military, operating from positions hundreds of kilometers away, has conducted long-range drone strikes on M23 targets, while security sources report the rebels are also using explosive drones on the front lines.
Rwanda accuses Congo of violating peace terms
Rwanda has countered US accusations by alleging that the DR Congo has breached the peace agreement through indiscriminate drone attacks and ground offensives. The country's government dismissed the sanctions as an attempt to distort the conflict's realities and unfairly target one side.
Next steps and regional implications
The success of the latest agreement hinges on verifiable disengagement by both sides and progress in neutralizing armed groups. Analysts warn that without sustained diplomatic pressure, the risk of further escalation remains high, with potential spillover effects across Central Africa.
