DRC and Rwanda Ink Landmark Peace Agreement at White House, Aiming to End Decades of Conflict

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a new peace agreement at the White House on December 4, 2025, aiming to resolve decades of entrenched conflict in the eastern DRC. This significant diplomatic step, reported by vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, seeks to address the persistent instability plaguing the Great Lakes region.

Dubbed the "Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity," the agreement commits both nations to an immediate cessation of hostilities and mutual respect for territorial integrity. Reuters reported on December 4 that key provisions include Rwanda withdrawing its troops from the DRC and the Congolese government ending its support for the FDLR militia.

A central focus of the accord is to halt the ongoing fighting involving the M23 rebels, a group responsible for widespread displacement in eastern DRC. While Rwanda has consistently denied supporting M23, as africanews reported in August 2024, numerous United Nations reports and other sources have alleged Rwandan backing for the rebel group.

The United States played a crucial mediation role in brokering this agreement, with President Donald Trump personally involved in facilitating the discussions. African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf commended this constructive support on December 4, noting the US engagement helped create conditions for this breakthrough.

African leaders, including Kenyan President William Ruto, have welcomed the accord as a pivotal step towards lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, Yeni Safak English reported on December 4. However, Amnesty International expressed skepticism, highlighting that previous diplomatic efforts have often failed to translate into tangible peace.

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, fresh fighting erupted in eastern Congo even as the deal was finalized, Reuters noted on December 4. This underscores the inherent fragility of the new pact and the persistent challenges in translating high-level agreements into a cessation of violence on the ground.

• The protracted conflict in eastern DRC is deeply rooted in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which led to a massive influx of Hutu refugees into Congo. Subsequent Rwandan interventions and the emergence of various armed groups, including M23, have destabilized the mineral-rich region for decades, as detailed by eNCA in January 2025. This complex history has fueled cycles of violence and mistrust.
• The M23 rebel group, primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, formed in 2012 following a failed 2009 peace deal and resurfaced in 2021/2022, gaining control of significant territory in North Kivu. The group claims to protect Tutsi rights, but the UN and other human rights organizations have documented widespread atrocities, according to Al Jazeera in February 2024.
• While Rwanda vehemently denies supporting M23, United Nations reports, including Resolution 2773 from the Security Council, have repeatedly accused Kigali of providing military aid and troops to the rebels. Rwanda maintains its actions are defensive measures against the FDLR, an ethnic Hutu militia operating in eastern DRC, as reported by Anadolu Agency in August 2025.
• The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is a key point of contention in the region. Composed largely of Hutu fighters, some linked to the 1994 genocide, the FDLR operates in eastern DRC. The new peace agreement specifically requires the Congolese government to neutralize this group, which Rwanda views as a direct and ongoing security threat, according to Security Council Report in November 2025.
• The region has witnessed numerous peace agreements over the years, including the Lusaka peace agreement of 1999 and a preliminary deal in June 2025, but many have failed or stalled in implementation. A study by the University of Nairobi in 2013 noted that these agreements often address symptoms rather than root causes, particularly the illicit exploitation of the region's vast mineral resources.
• The ongoing conflict has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing over seven million people in eastern DRC, according to Reuters on December 4. It has also crippled regional trade and economic development, underscoring the urgent need for lasting peace to unlock the region's immense economic potential and alleviate widespread suffering.
• The international community, including the UN and the US, has condemned M23 offensives and called for an end to external support. However, influencing Rwanda has become more complex, as its evolving stature and contributions to peacekeeping operations may reduce traditional leverage, as AP News analyzed in January 2025.
• The ultimate success of the "Washington Accords" hinges on genuine commitment from both parties to faithfully implement its terms, including troop withdrawals and disarmament of armed groups. African Union Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf urged diligent implementation, acknowledging the inevitable "ups and downs" on the path to peace, as reported by the AU on December 4.