MWE Correspondent
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has cast doubt on the viability of a newly signed U.S.-brokered peace agreement between his country and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that Kigali will respond firmly to any breach of trust by its neighbour.
The deal, finalized last week with backing from U.S. mediators, requires Rwanda to withdraw its troops from eastern Congo within 90 days. The region has been gripped by conflict for years, with the M23 rebel group seizing major towns including Goma and Bukavu earlier this year.
International observers, including the United Nations, have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels—a claim Kagame’s government has consistently denied. Kigali maintains that its military presence in the region is purely defensive, aimed at countering the threat posed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
Speaking to local journalists in Kigali on Friday, President Kagame said Rwanda would honour the agreement—if Congo does the same. But he warned of consequences if Kinshasa fails to act against the FDLR or engages in deception.
“If the side that we are working with plays tricks and takes us back to the problem, then we deal with the problem like we have been dealing with it,” Kagame stated.
He noted that while Rwanda supports the peace process, its success depends on trust and tangible action on both sides. Kagame also acknowledged the role of the United States in brokering the talks but made it clear that responsibility for the outcome lies with the regional actors.
The fragile agreement comes at a time when tensions remain high in eastern Congo, particularly in North Kivu Province, where violence and displacement have uprooted millions of civilians. According to humanitarian groups, the recent escalation has made the region one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises.
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The DRC has also been holding separate peace talks with the M23 leadership in Qatar, aimed at reaching a political resolution independent of Rwandan involvement. However, the presence of multiple armed groups, historical grievances, and regional mistrust make the path to lasting peace complicated.
Observers say the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the agreement can hold. Rwanda’s pledge to withdraw within three months hinges on Congo taking firm steps against the FDLR, which Kigali views as a direct threat to its national security.
The peace deal also includes economic incentives promoted by Washington, aiming to open up investment in eastern Congo’s vast mineral reserves—including cobalt, coltan, and lithium—resources critical to global tech and green energy supply chains.
While cautious optimism remains, Kagame’s guarded tone underscores the deep-seated mistrust that has defined Rwandan–Congolese relations for decades. For now, both countries—and the wider Great Lakes region—await the first test of political will in what could become a historic turning point or just another short-lived truce.
