U.S. hosts signing of comprehensive peace agreement between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed a comprehensive peace agreement at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., in a ceremony where U.S. and international partners were credited with facilitating the talks.

The agreement, officials said at the ceremony, enters into force on signature and is intended to end a 30-year conflict between the two countries by establishing a standing joint security coordination mechanism, directing a harmonized plan to neutralize the FDLR, and facilitating the disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration of non‑state armed groups.

The accord also includes provisions for the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, humanitarian access, a regional economic integration framework and a reaffirmation of the United Nations stabilization mission’s (MONUSCO) mandate. An annex contains the concept of operations for the neutralization of the FDLR and the plan for disengagement and lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda; the annex dates were stated in the ceremony as 10/31/2024 (concept) and adoption by foreign ministers on 11/25/2024.

"This is, in essence, the Department of State is really the Department of Peace," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during his remarks, praising the U.S. team and partners and noting more work remains for implementation. Rubio also thanked the African Union and Qatar for mediation support.

The Foreign Minister of Rwanda, speaking after Rubio, described the central elements as the standing joint security coordination mechanism and the concept of operations to neutralize the FDLR, and said those measures would be accompanied by "a lifting of Rwanda's defensive measures" as part of an "irreversible and verifiable end to state support for FDLR and associated militias." The minister also emphasized the need to create conditions for the "safe and dignified return of refugees" with the support of UNHCR and to pursue enhanced economic cooperation.

The Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said signing the agreement opened "a new chapter" and urged that the text be followed by concrete actions: disengagement of forces, protection of civilians, return of displaced families and accountability. The minister said the agreement was a starting point and must be implemented "with our deeds."

Officials at the ceremony acknowledged that past agreements in the region have sometimes gone unimplemented and said the parties will coordinate implementation with the African Union and with Qatar, which has been described by participants as a mediator for parallel talks between the DRC and the M23 armed group. The statement at the ceremony described the parties’ commitment to an "irreversible and verifiable" end to external support for militias that threaten regional stability.

The parties and witnesses at the event said they expect follow‑up activities to include operationalizing the joint security coordination mechanism, overseeing disengagement and disarmament processes and coordinating returns of refugees and internally displaced persons under government authority. The U.S. Department of State staff present were credited with facilitating the discussions that led to the signing.

With signatures affixed at the ceremony, officials stated the agreement immediately entered into force. Parties and international partners said the real work now shifts to implementation, monitoring and verification on the ground.

The ceremony concluded with a request that attendees remain seated while the parties departed.