The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a comprehensive peace agreement in Washington on Friday, pledging to end more than 30 years of conflict in the Great Lakes region.The signing ceremony was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, DRC Foreign Minister and Rwandan Foreign Minister, along with senior officials from the African Union, the State of Qatar, and the U.S. Congress.The agreement outlines commitments to respect territorial integrity, halt hostilities, disengage and disarm armed forces, and conditionally integrate non-state armed groups. It also establishes a joint security coordination mechanism, facilitates the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and ensures humanitarian access.An annex details an operational plan for the neutralization of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, along with provisions for Rwanda to lift defensive measures. Rubio praised both governments and their negotiating teams, calling the agreement "an important moment."mitv
Sat, 28-Jun-2025