The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a peace agreement in Washington on June 27, 2025, under the mediation of the United States, while another agreement between the DRC and the AFC-M23 is still pending, expected to be signed soon in Doha. The Washington document sets a strict timeline to be followed urgently, as reported by various Western media outlets.
Key elements of the agreement include:
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First, a 15-day preparatory phase will be launched to analyze the seriousness of the conflict, identify the location of the FDLR group, and facilitate intelligence sharing among the parties involved.
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✅ By July 27, 2025, DRC and Rwanda must establish a Joint Coordination Mechanism. This structure will work alongside a monitoring committee involving the African Union (AU), the United States, and Qatar. Their first meeting must be held no later than August 11.
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✅ On the ground, two immediate actions are required:
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Dismantling the FDLR armed group, and
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Removing Rwanda’s defensive military setups in the region.
These actions must be completed within four months, in multiple phases.
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✅ According to RFI sources, joint military operations between FARDC (DRC Army) and RDF (Rwanda Defense Force) to neutralize the FDLR have been agreed upon in principle, but decisions must still be coordinated by both governments.
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✅ Economically, the agreement includes a regional integration plan, to be launched by September 27, aiming to strengthen cooperation in natural resources, trade, and cross-border investment.
As for the AFC/M23 issue, experts agree that while the Washington agreement may support the negotiations taking place in Doha between the DRC and AFC/M23, it does not guarantee a complete end to the conflict, even though a fragile ceasefire is currently in place.
