DRC and Rwanda have agreed to a new set of U.S.-brokered steps to “de-escalate tensions” in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Washington said, as fighting involving the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group continues despite last year’s U.S.-facilitated peace deal. In a joint U.S.–DRC–Rwanda statement, officials said representatives from Kinshasa and Kigali met in Washington, D.C., on March 17–18 and committed to “concrete steps” to advance implementation of what the parties call the Washington Accords.
The coordinated steps include: a mutual commitment to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity; a scheduled disengagement of forces and the lifting of Rwanda’s “defensive measures” in defined areas of DRC territory; time-bound, intensified efforts by the DRC to neutralize the FDLR (a Hutu militia Rwanda links to the 1994 genocide); and measures focused on civilian protection, the statement said.
The pledge comes days after the United States increased pressure on Rwanda over the conflict. On March 2, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Rwanda’s military (the Rwanda Defence Force) and several senior officers, accusing Kigali of providing “direct operational support” to M23, including combat involvement and enabling the group’s control of territory in eastern Congo.
Rwanda has denied backing M23 and criticised the U.S. measures as one-sided. Kigali argues that Congo has violated prior understandings through drone attacks and ground offensives, while insisting Kinshasa must dismantle the FDLR. The eastern Congo conflict—centered on mineral-rich provinces—has persisted even after the U.S.-backed agreement signed last year, which aimed to reduce hostilities and create a framework for addressing armed groups and cross-border security concerns.
Washington did not provide a detailed timeline for each step, but described the commitments as “time-bound” and tied to progress “on the ground,” suggesting U.S. officials will monitor compliance closely as tensions remain high around key areas controlled or contested by M23.
