Rwanda, DRC reaffirm peace commitments at second oversight meeting in Washington

Representatives from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) met on September 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C., alongside the United States, Qatar, Togo, and the African Union Commission, for the second Joint Oversight Committee (JOC) meeting on the Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025. The gathering underscored both progress and ongoing challenges in implementing the agreement, which aims to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in eastern DRC and across the Great Lakes region. “Committee members acknowledged slowness in implementation of some elements of the Agreement and un

Representatives from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) met on September 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C., alongside the United States, Qatar, Togo, and the African Union Commission, for the second Joint Oversight Committee (JOC) meeting on the Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025. The gathering underscored both progress and ongoing challenges in implementing the agreement, which aims to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in eastern DRC and across the Great Lakes region. “Committee members acknowledged slowness in implementation of some elements of the Agreement and underscored their shared resolve to ensure its complete and timely implementation,” the joint statement read. Discussions centered on reports of violence in eastern DRC and the need for concrete steps to uphold commitments. Both the DRC and Rwanda reaffirmed their pledges to facilitate the return of refugees, building on outcomes from the August 8 Tripartite High-Level Ministerial. The meeting also welcomed the merger of technical secretariats from the East African Community, Southern African Development Community, and the African Union into a single joint secretariat. Members highlighted this as a “critical step in strengthening coordination and supporting the implementation of the Peace Agreement.” The Committee praised preparations for the next Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) meeting, aimed at accelerating efforts to dismantle support for the FDLR armed group. The statement noted that “the DRC expressed that there is no policy of support for the FDLR and recognized the importance of taking concrete action as such, and Rwanda expressed its respect for the DRC’s territorial integrity.” They also committed to creating direct intelligence and military communication channels ahead of the JSCM session in Doha. “These actions are key to realizing the full potential of the Regional Economic Integration Framework, which will open key economic corridors to support long-term development and stability,” the statement emphasized. According to the joint statement, Qatar provided an update on ongoing DRC and AFC/M23 negotiations in Doha, which were described as “critical to achieving a stable eastern DRC.” Both the DRC and Rwanda pledged full support for bringing these talks to a successful conclusion. The Committee members reaffirmed their commitment to holding regular meetings to track progress and address challenges. The DRC and Rwanda also expressed gratitude to the United States, Qatar, and the African Union for their vital contributions and coordinated efforts in advancing durable peace.