The United States Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lucy Tamlyn, has announced that the implementation of the peace agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC has already begun.
This agreement, aimed at ending the conflicts in eastern DRC, was signed at the end of last month under the mediation of the United States.
In an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI), Ambassador Tamlyn stated that the first step in implementing the agreement will be to establish a joint security mechanism responsible for coordinating operations to dismantle the FDLR militia.
She said:
“After 30 years of conflict, it is truly time for the suffering to end and for Congo’s territorial integrity to be respected. That’s why the United States ensured the peace agreement includes a timeline and a system of accountability.”
“Yes, the implementation has already begun, starting with the creation of a joint security platform to coordinate the dismantling of FDLR and the gradual withdrawal of Rwandan troops.”
Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn added that any party that fails to implement the agreement will face consequences.
She said:
“Let me be clear, the agreement is explicit. There will be consequences if the commitments are not respected: sanctions, including diplomatic repercussions.”
She also highlighted a key economic development project: a $760 million hydroelectric dam intended to supply electricity to DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi. She emphasized that peace is essential for such regional projects to succeed.
On June 27, when Rwanda and the DRC signed the peace agreement, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, told his DRC counterpart, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, that DRC must dismantle the FDLR militia, and in return, Rwanda would withdraw the defensive measures it had previously implemented.
