DRC and Rwanda Reaffirm Peace Deal Amidst Escalating Eastern Congo Violence

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have renewed their commitments to a vital peace process aimed at quelling the long-running conflict in eastern Congo. These renewed pledges were made during high-level talks in London, which were facilitated by the United States and supported by regional partners including Qatar, Togo, and the African Union.

The meeting, part of the Joint Oversight Committee reviewing the 2025 peace agreement, highlighted serious concerns regarding the intensifying fighting in eastern DRC. The joint statement issued on June 24, 2026, noted the detrimental impact of drone strikes on civilians and the peace process, as well as the deepening humanitarian crisis, which includes an ongoing Ebola outbreak.

Both Kinshasa and Kigali pledged to fully implement the June 2025 peace deal and to reduce tensions in conflict-affected areas, particularly around sensitive regions like Minembwe. They agreed to de-escalate immediately and to use their respective influences to achieve this.

A key focus of the discussions was strengthening the mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing the ceasefire. The parties committed to bolstering the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM), enhancing intelligence sharing, and fostering closer cooperation on the implementation of the Washington Accords. The faster deployment of verification teams to monitor compliance on the ground also received backing.

This reaffirmation of peace comes at a critical juncture, with persistent instability in eastern DRC. Years of fighting between government forces and various armed groups have been marked by mutual accusations between the DRC and Rwanda regarding support for militias. The M23 group’s offensives have significantly contributed to displacement and frequent ceasefire violations, straining humanitarian efforts.

The current peace framework aims to halt hostilities through military disengagement, verification of commitments, and the gradual restoration of state authority. The JSCM is scheduled to reconvene within 15 days to assess progress on security measures.

Source: Nile Post