DR Congo, Rwanda to Sign US-Mediated Peace Deal  

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda are set to sign a peace agreement in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 27, following months of negotiations led by the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to preside over the ceremony. The agreement will be signed by DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and her Rwandan counterpart, Olivier Nduhungirehe.

The deal seeks to secure a gradual withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern Congo, where the M23 militia -allegedly backed by Rwanda- has seized large territories, including major cities and mining towns in North and South Kivu provinces. The militia’s latest offensive since January has left more than 7,000 people dead and displaced nearly one million others.

Rwanda has consistently denied supporting M23, maintaining that it only acts in self-defence against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group it describes as an existential threat.

According to Reuters, sources familiar with the negotiations say Congolese officials have dropped their earlier demand for an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces, allowing for a phased disengagement instead.

Three diplomats and a Congolese official told Reuters that the new terms propose Rwanda pull back its troops over several months, with progress linked to the neutralisation of the FDLR. Rwanda, through government spokesperson Yolande Makolo, confirmed that “lifting of defensive measures in border area” would depend on actions taken against the FDLR.

In May, Congolese officials expressed optimism about securing US investment in mining alongside support to end the Rwandan-backed rebellion. The Financial Times reported that both the investment and peace agreements were being targeted for completion by the end of June.

West Africa Weekly notes that the White House-led peace initiative also aligns with American interest in accessing the DRC’s vast deposits of cobalt, copper, gold, and lithium. These are minerals vital for modern technologies and renewable energy systems. It is unclear the exact terms of the agreement to be signed on Friday.

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