The Fifth Meeting in Washington Between Rwanda and the DRC Highlights Progress and Remaining Challenges
As part of ongoing efforts to find a lasting solution to the long-standing security challenges in the Great Lakes region, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) once again convened for a diplomatic meeting in Washington, United States, aimed at assessing the progress made in implementing the peace agreement.
The meeting took place yesterday, April 23, 2026, and marked the fifth gathering bringing together various stakeholders involved in restoring peace in eastern DRC. It was attended by delegations from the DRC, Rwanda, the United States, Qatar, Togo, as well as representatives from the African Union (AU) Commission.
A statement released by the U.S. Department of State indicated that the meeting reviewed the progress achieved since the previous session held on March 17–18, 2026, also in Washington. At that time, both parties had expressed willingness to ease the long-standing tensions between them.
During this fifth meeting, the State of Qatar provided updates on ongoing talks between the DRC and the AFC/M23 group, aimed at addressing the issue of armed groups operating in eastern Congo.
The committee overseeing the implementation of the agreement commended the progress made so far and expressed appreciation to Switzerland for hosting the recent talks held in Doha. It noted that the Doha discussions play a significant role in supporting the full implementation of the peace agreement.
The peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC was first signed on June 27, 2025, by the foreign ministers of both countries, with the facilitation of the United States.
The agreement primarily aims to:
- Completely dismantle the FDLR group, which Rwanda considers a terrorist organization composed of individuals involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi;
- Lift Rwanda’s defensive measures along its border with the DRC;
- Promote security and economic cooperation between the two countries and the wider region.
The agreement was reaffirmed on December 4, 2025, when Presidents Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi signed it in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump. On that occasion, additional provisions related to economic cooperation were introduced to support regional development.
Despite the progress made, mediators acknowledge that the implementation of the agreement remains slow for various reasons. In particular, the DRC has been criticized for not taking significant steps to dismantle the FDLR.
On Rwanda’s side, authorities continue to express readiness to fulfill their commitments, while emphasizing that lifting defensive measures will depend on the complete dismantling of the FDLR, which it says continues to pose a security threat to its territory.
The Office of the U.S. President’s Senior Advisor for Africa and Arab Affairs stated that the talks remain promising, although a long way still lies ahead.
Both Rwanda and the DRC reiterated their commitment to continue efforts to de-escalate tensions and adhere to the provisions of the agreement signed in Washington.
The security challenges in eastern DRC have deep historical roots linked to the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, during which some perpetrators fled to the DRC and later regrouped into armed factions such as the FDLR.
In the years that followed, the region experienced prolonged conflicts, including large-scale wars involving several neighboring countries (1996–2003), as well as continued insurgencies.
All these factors have made the security situation in eastern DRC both a regional and international concern, which explains the continued involvement of the international community in seeking a lasting solution.
The fifth meeting in Washington demonstrates that although the path to peace remains long and fraught with challenges, there is cautious optimism driven by ongoing dialogue and the political will shown by all parties.
However, the full implementation of the agreement will require concrete actions—particularly in addressing the issue of armed groups—in order to achieve sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region.
