Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo aim to finalize a draft peace agreement by May 2

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) set a target to finalize a draft peace agreement by May 2, following significant rebel advances in the region. In a declaration signed in Washington, the foreign ministers of both nations, in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, committed to coordinating efforts through existing channels to produce an initial draft for mutual review by the deadline. The declaration emphasized the respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and pledged to resolve disputes through peaceful means, focusing on diplomacy and negotiation rather than aggression or inflammatory rhetoric.

Although the statement did not explicitly mention the M23 rebels, both countries acknowledged the other's concerns and agreed to refrain from providing military support to non-state armed groups. Additionally, they agreed to establish a joint security coordination mechanism to counter such groups. This announcement came after the DRC and the M23 rebels agreed to halt hostilities in the eastern part of the country while working towards a permanent ceasefire.

The conflict, which has led to thousands of deaths along the border since January, has drawn international attention, with UN experts, the United States, and other Western governments accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels. Rwanda denies these allegations. Meanwhile, a new U.S. envoy for Africa, businessman Massad Boulos, called for Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 and withdraw its troops from DRC territory.

Qatar played a key role in facilitating the talks between Rwanda and the DRC, while the DRC sought U.S. support for access to its critical minerals, essential for advanced technologies. The joint declaration also mentioned the potential for significant investments, including in mineral value chains and hydropower development, with U.S. government and private sector involvement.

Rwanda justifies its actions in the eastern DRC by citing security concerns related to armed groups, particularly the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia composed of former Hutu leaders associated with the 1994 genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda. The M23 group, predominantly made up of Tutsis, has been at the center of the conflict.