Three years after the capture of Bunagana, a border town between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), by M23 rebel forces in June 2022, a peace agreement has been reached between the warring parties, the DRC and Rwanda, in Washington on June 27.
In the meantime, North Kivu and much of South Kivu have been controlled over by these rebels, who are supported by Rwanda. Their ranks have been reinforced by the involvement of Corneille Nanga’s Congo River Alliance.
The two heads of state, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, are now expected in Washington to finalize the agreement, which, as Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner has emphasized, marks the beginning of the peace process, not its end.
Qatar Sparks Breakthrough in Congo-Rwanda Talks.
A surprising diplomatic breakthrough unfolded in the Qatari capital Doha, after Angola’s attempts to mediate peace between the Congolese and Rwandan factions on behalf of the African Union failed to gain traction.
In an unexpected move, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, convened a high-stakes meeting at his palace on March 18, 2025, bringing together Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi. During the trilateral talks, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and pledged to continue dialogue toward a durable peace in the Great Lakes region.
But just as Qatar appeared poised to steer the peace process to its conclusion, the United States entered the picture, assuming a leading role in the negotiations. Still, Doha’s involvement has not faded.
Qatari representatives were present in Washington on June 27 to witness the signing of a preliminary peace agreement between the foreign ministers of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A formal signing ceremony, to be led by Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi, is scheduled for July.
An agreement to monitor closely.
An agreement has been reached and accepted by both parties in the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). But despite its formal adoption, the deal’s implementation remains under close scrutiny.
Corneille Nanga, leader of the AFC-M23, has already questioned the legitimacy of the framework, insisting that “only the Doha-DRC peace process under Qatari mediation constitutes a legitimate framework.”
Key questions remain unanswered. Will the conflict in eastern DRC finally come to a halt? Will Rwanda end its alleged logistical and military support for the M23 rebel group?
A recent UN panel of experts reported that the Rwandan army “de facto controls M23 operations,” outlining how recruits are trained under Rwandan supervision and armed with advanced weaponry.
Kinshasa, for its part, faces pressure to dismantle and disarm the FDLR, a group it has long been accused of using as a proxy force against Kigali.
Negotiations in Doha between AFC-M23 representatives and the Congolese government continue, with hopes that the process, backed by Washington, can pave the way for lasting peace.
The new agreement draws heavily on previous accords and negotiation frameworks. Some analysts have suggested that the “Trump effect”, may have helped to reach the agreement.
Rwanda–DRC deal to halt hostilities
In the initial part of the agreement, Rwanda commits to respecting the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), ceasing hostilities, and withdrawing both its forces and defensive positions from Congolese territory. In return, the DRC pledges to uphold Rwanda’s territorial integrity and to neutralize the FDLR. There is cautious optimism that this agreement will be implemented effectively, rather than becoming yet another unrealized promise, as has often been the case with past accords. The agreement also reaffirms the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel.
The second part addresses the cessation of state support for armed groups—a practice that, despite official denials, seems to persist. Whether all such support will be halted immediately and unconditionally remains to be seen. The agreement also calls for the disengagement of armed actors, to be accompanied by disarmament, demobilization, and potentially conditional reintegration. The DRC emphasizes that any reintegration of former rebels will be assessed individually, considering physical and moral fitness, a clean record regarding international humanitarian law, and demonstrated loyalty to the state and its institutions—an entirely reasonable approach.
To oversee the implementation, a joint security coordination mechanism has been established between the DRC and Rwanda, under the supervision of the United States, Qatar, and the African Union. Additionally, the agreement highlights the role of United Nations agencies and MONUSCO in addressing issues related to refugees, internally displaced persons, and civilian protection.
Fostering regional stability
Beyond security and humanitarian concerns, the agreement includes an economic dimension. It proposes the creation of a regional economic integration framework that aligns with existing agreements, such as those under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This component aims to strengthen interregional trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation.
There is now a viable peace architecture for the Great Lakes region, seemingly endorsed by both Kigali and Kinshasa. The ongoing negotiations in Doha are expected to reinforce this agreement rather than hinder its execution. While agreements are often signed swiftly, their on-the-ground implementation tends to be more complex. Nonetheless, there is hope that this will mark the final peace accord in a long series, paving the way for lasting peace between Rwanda and the DRC.