DR Congo and Rwanda agree to “Concrete Steps” to ease tensions following U.S.-hosted talks

In a significant diplomatic move, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda agreed to “concrete steps” to de-escalate tensions and advance a stalled peace process during U.S.-hosted talks in Washington on March 17–18, 2026.

The joint statement from the U.S. State Department outlines a mutual commitment to respect each country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while prioritising the protection of all civilians caught in the decades-long conflict in eastern Congo.

The agreement mandates a scheduled disengagement of forces and the lifting of “defensive measures” by Rwanda in specific areas within DRC territory.

In exchange, the DRC has pledged to intensify time-bound efforts to neutralise the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group that Rwanda views as a primary security threat.

These measures are intended to revive the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, a peace framework originally signed in late 2025 to end regional hostilities.

This latest round of negotiations follows intense U.S. pressure, including recent Treasury Department sanctions on senior Rwandan military officials accused of supporting the M23 rebel group.

While the deal is framed as a “generational victory” by mediators, observers remain cautious; previous truces have frequently collapsed, and the M23 group—which currently controls large swathes of eastern Congo, including major cities like Goma—was not a direct party to this specific agreement.