The governments of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have signed a Declaration of Principles in Washington DC, signaling a possible shift towards peace and stability in the volatile eastern region of DR Congo.
The signing, which took place today, was witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to resolve decades of conflict between the two nations.
Foreign Ministers Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner of the DR Congo and Olivier Nduhungirehe of Rwanda affixed their signatures to the agreement, which outlines a roadmap to peace, regional stability, and integrated economic development in the eastern DR Congo.
The region has long been embroiled in violence, exacerbated by the influence of Rwandan-backed rebels, particularly the M23 militia, whose actions have sparked international outrage and deepened DR Congo’s instability.
The US government, which has long been invested in the region’s peace process, expressed its commitment to supporting the agreement.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos, and Ambassador Troy Fitrell joined Rubio in applauding the accord, with Rubio emphasizing that the US would continue to engage with both nations to uphold the Declaration's principles and ensure the successful pursuit of peace and prosperity.
The Declaration builds on the efforts of the African Union and other regional leaders. It outlines a pathway to peace, stability, and integrated economic development in the eastern DRC region, which is vital to ending the conflict and allowing the region to reach its full potential.
The signing of this Declaration comes after months of intense diplomatic maneuvering, which included a surprise meeting brokered by Qatar between DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in March.
During that meeting, both leaders agreed to a ceasefire, offering hope for de-escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Despite these efforts, Rwanda and the DR Congo have long been at odds, with tensions largely stemming from Rwanda’s alleged support of the M23 rebels—accusations that have fueled diplomatic friction between the two countries.
The conflict between the two nations is deeply rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, when Hutu extremists fled to DR Congo, forming militias that have continued to destabilize the region for decades.
Rwanda insists its military actions in DR Congo are self-defensive, aimed at protecting the country from groups allegedly involved in the genocide.
However, international observers, including the United Nations, have accused Rwanda of directly supporting the M23 rebels, a charge Rwanda vehemently denies.
This complex history was underscored by DR Congo President Tshisekedi’s inflammatory remarks during the last presidential election campaigns in 2023, where he likened Kagame to Adolf Hitler, vowing never to negotiate peace with him.
Tshisekedi’s strong rhetoric highlights the deep mistrust that exists between the two leaders and their governments.
Despite these tensions, the signing of the Declaration of Principles today demonstrates a willingness from both sides to explore diplomatic solutions.
The Declaration itself serves as a broad framework for peace, detailing the commitment to work toward ending hostilities and fostering sustainable development in the region.
It also aims to encourage US investment in DR Congo’s vast mineral wealth, which is critical to the global supply of valuable resources like copper, cobalt, and lithium.
Both Rwanda and DR Congo have been in talks with Washington about forging stronger economic ties, with the US government showing interest in securing minerals from the region, potentially to counterbalance China’s dominance in African resource extraction.
However, while the Declaration of Principles is a significant step forward, it is important to understand what such a declaration entails.
Essentially, a Declaration of Principles is an agreement that outlines high-level goals and objectives—broad agreements on the path forward.
It does not address the specific terms of a comprehensive peace agreement but sets the stage for future negotiations. In this case, the principles laid out in the declaration will form the foundation for detailed talks in the coming months, with the hope of finalizing a more concrete peace agreement.
The international community, especially the United States and African Union, has consistently emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern DR Congo.
While the path to lasting peace remains uncertain, the Declaration of Principles represents a glimmer of hope that dialogue may finally lead to stability in a region that has endured more than two decades of violence.
In a related development, DR Congo and M23 agreed on a cessation of hostilities on Thursday, a step that further signals the potential for de-escalation.
Despite the challenges ahead, the collective efforts of regional actors, the US, and the international community aim to facilitate a lasting peace that will not only end the violence but also pave the way for economic development and prosperity in one of Africa’s richest, yet most troubled, regions.