Delegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda arrived in Washington this week for discussions on the eastern Congo crisis. Reports indicate they have already begun their work, engaging in their first direct, face-to-face talks since the United States became involved in the matter.
Their mission? To reach a draft agreement that will be submitted to the foreign ministers of both countries.
Although no official signing date has been set, U.S. officials hope the agreement will be finalized before July, according to French public radio RFI.
The article notes that the days of U.S. intermediaries or WhatsApp diplomacy are over—Congolese and Rwandan experts have been meeting in person for the past two or three days in Washington.
The draft agreement on the table is the second version, prepared by U.S. facilitators based on earlier input from both parties.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, spoke yesterday on the talks via X (formerly Twitter).
He said: “Initially, the United States aimed for a deal by mid-June, but that was only a preliminary goal […] which had to be aligned with the realities of negotiation.”
Diplomatic leaders from both countries are expected to meet again in Washington once the experts reach consensus on the agreement—before a planned summit between the Presidents of Congo and Rwanda in the presence of Donald Trump.
There’s no fixed timetable yet, but the U.S. is pushing for swift progress, still hoping to conclude the process by July, according to sources cited by RFI.
Minister Nduhungirehe reiterated on social media that any agreement reached must reflect a mutually beneficial peace, and that negotiations are still ongoing.
