DRC and Rwanda Advance Peace Agreement in US Meeting
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Joint Statement on the Second Meeting of
the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism for the Peace Agreement between the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda
On
17–18 September 2025,
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, joined by the United States, Qatar, Togo (AU
facilitator), and the African Union Commission, held the second
meeting of the Joint
Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) in Washington, D.C.
The
parties reviewed the security situation in eastern DRC and agreed on a phased implementation plan
for the neutralization of
FDLR groups, the lifting
of Rwanda’s defensive measures, restoration of DRC’s authority, and
rebuilding of bilateral trust. An Operational
Order (OPORD) was negotiated, with implementation set to begin
on 1 October 2025.
The
DRC and Rwanda reaffirmed their commitment to the Peace Agreement signed on 27 June 2025, and
thanked the U.S., Qatar, Togo, and the AU for supporting the process. All
parties underscored their determination to secure durable peace and stability in eastern
DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.
On
September 17-18, 2025, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, along with the United States, the State
of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union facilitator), and the
African Union Commission convened the second meeting of the Joint Security
Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) in Washington, D.C. to advance the implementation
of the Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025.
JSCM
members reviewed the current security posture in eastern DRC and exchanged
intelligence and information to establish a shared understanding of the
situation on the ground. This shared intelligence picture was used to develop a
phased approach to implement the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the
neutralization of the FDLR and its associated groups, and disengagement of
forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda.
The
Governments of the DRC and Rwanda reaffirmed their commitments to the desired
end state outlined in the CONOPS, which includes that the threat of FDLR in the
DRC is eradicated, Rwanda’s defensive measures are lifted, the DRC’s authority
is restored, and trust between the DRC and Rwanda is reestablished.
During
the two-day meeting, the parties negotiated an Operational Order (OPORD) to
advance the CONOPS. The parties agreed to begin implementation of the OPORD on
October 1, 2025.
The
Governments of the DRC and Rwanda expressed their gratitude to the United
States, Qatar, the African Union, and Togo for their continued support and
facilitation of the peace process.
All
parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing durable peace and stability in
eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.