DRC: The Kinshasa-Kigali agreement in Washington: a peace treaty or just a deal?
Under the auspices of the United States, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda took a decisive step toward lasting peace with the signing of a preliminary peace agreement in Washington on Friday, June 28, 2025. Hailed by the international community, this accord marks a remarkable diplomatic breakthrough in one of Africa’s most complex and deadly conflicts.
The result of lengthy discussions carried out with the active support of Qatar and the strategic mediation of Washington, the agreement provides for the withdrawal and disarmament of troops and armed groups, as well as their conditional integration into a process overseen by national authorities and regional partners. It represents a smart, balanced, and ambitious diplomatic framework that addresses the urgent need to ease tensions while laying the groundwork for constructive and respectful dialogue between the two neighboring states.
Contrary to premature criticism, this initiative is not a mere trade-off, but a structured framework to restore security in eastern DRC, enable the return of displaced populations, and revive cross-border development projects for the benefit of both Congolese and Rwandan communities.
By showing openness to this high-level negotiation, President Félix Tshisekedi once again demonstrates his commitment to the sovereignty of the DRC as well as to regional stability. This responsible stance, shared by the Rwandan authorities, now opens the door to joint security mechanisms, the revitalization of diplomatic channels, and the shrinking of operational space for armed groups that have long been manipulated from behind the scenes.
