DR Congo and Rwanda Commit to De-escalation After US Talks

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take concrete steps to de-escalate tensions following high-level talks hosted by the United States in Washington.

The agreement includes Rwanda disengaging its military from defined areas in DR Congo and respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity. DR Congo will intensify time-bound operations to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group linked to the 1994 genocide and still active in the region.

Despite the US-brokered peace deal signed last December, M23 rebels continue to control key cities like Goma and Bukavu. The US recently imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s military and officials, accusing them of supporting M23-denied by Kigali, which calls the FDLR a genocidal threat and claims its presence is purely defensive.