MWE Correspondent
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are set to sign a peace agreement in mid-June, with the signing ceremony to take place at the White House, according to Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.
This deal, which comes after years of tension and conflict in the region, aims to foster stability and economic progress, as both countries seek to put an end to the violence that has plagued the eastern DRC.
Speaking to AFP, Nduhungirehe revealed that although a final agreement on the details has not yet been made, the next step will be to combine the proposals from both sides into a single document. The foreign ministers of both nations are expected to meet in Washington later this month to finalize the text before the official signing in June.
Earlier, in late April, the two countries signed a declaration committing to respect each other’s sovereignty. This was part of efforts facilitated by the United States, marking a significant step toward diplomatic resolution. The declaration also included an ambitious goal for both sides to draft a peace agreement by May 2.
The ongoing conflict in the DRC, particularly in the eastern regions such as North Kivu and South Kivu, has been driven by the M23 rebel group, which has captured major cities like Goma and Bukavu in recent months. The DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, though Rwanda denies these claims. This conflict has led to countless deaths and displacement, creating immense suffering for the local population.
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Earlier this year, secret talks were held in Qatar between DRC officials and rebel groups, leading to a joint declaration of intent to agree on a ceasefire and initiate a broader dialogue aimed at securing long-term peace in the region.
One of the key elements of the agreement that is expected to be signed in June will be the provision for substantial financial support from both the U.S. government and the private sector. This investment is seen as vital to rebuilding the war-torn region and providing long-term stability, as it will allow the region to tap into its vast natural resources, including mineral wealth, which has long been a source of both economic opportunity and conflict.
The situation in the DRC remains fluid, and while the peace agreement is seen as a critical step, many analysts caution that it will take much more than a signed document to resolve the deep-rooted issues driving the conflict. Nevertheless, this peace process provides hope for a new chapter in the long-standing struggle for peace and stability in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
