DR Congo, Rwanda Set to Sign US-brokered Peace Agreement on June 27

Addis Ababa, June 19, 2025 (ENA)— DR Congo and Rwanda are anticipated to sign a peace agreement in Washington on June 27, a joint press release from the nations and the U.S. State Department said Wednesday.

The countries' technical teams have already initiated the draft, which is expected to be formally signed in Washington next week.  

Both countries have agreed to the terms of the deal aimed at ending fighting in eastern Congo.

The draft peace deal aims to end fighting in eastern Congo, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels made significant advances at the beginning of the year, capturing the strategic city of Goma and the town of Bukavu.

Congo has accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebels in the east of the country. U.N. experts say the rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from the neighboring nation.

The decades-long conflict escalated in January, when the M23 rebels advanced and seized the strategic Congolese city of Goma, followed by the town of Bukavu in February.

The draft agreement includes "provisions on respect for territorial integrity and a prohibition of hostilities; disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration of non-state armed groups," the joint statement said.

 

The agreement that will be signed also includes a commitment to respecting territorial integrity and the conditional integration of non-state armed groups.

Both countries have in the past held peace talks that have largely stalled, including talks hosted by Qatar.

M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda.

The conflict has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and has displaced more than 7 million people, it was learned.