The African Union (AU) has welcomed the signing of a landmark peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict in eastern DRC.
On Friday, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and his Congolese counterpart, Thérèse Wagner, signed the accord in Washington, D.C.
In a statement issued Saturday, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said he witnessed the signing ceremony and praised the agreement as a “significant milestone.” He commended all parties involved for their efforts to promote peace, stability, and reconciliation in the region.
As part of the agreement, both nations pledged full support for the ongoing negotiations between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group, mediated by Qatar. The treaty reaffirms their commitment to the 2024 accord, which includes the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory within 90 days, and the creation of a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days. In addition, the two countries agreed to launch a joint initiative for economic integration.
The deal comes after the collapse of mediation efforts led by Angola. Following that failure, the M23 rebels resumed their military campaign, capturing extensive areas in the eastern DRC. The Congolese government accused Rwanda of backing the rebels and demanded a full withdrawal of Rwandan forces — allegations Kigali has consistently denied.
In late January, M23 forces seized control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, and by mid-February, they had advanced into Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
African Union Hails Peace Accord Between Rwanda and DR Congo
