The foreign ministers of Rwanda and DR Congo, on Friday, June 27, signed the much-anticipated US-brokered peace agreement in Washington DC, after more than two months of a US-mediated process.
The agreement was inked by Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe of Rwanda and his Congolese counterpart Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and was witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The agreement, which builds on the declaration of principles signed in Washington on April 25, takes immediate effect, according to Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump's Senior Advisor for Africa.
Boulos said the concept of operations (CONOPS) of a harmonised plan for the neutralisation of the FDLR is one of the elements of the agreement, which was initialed by the Rwandan and Congolese technical teams on June 18.
Speaking at the signing event, Secretary Rubio said it was not easy to reach the agreement and noted that there is still work to be done in terms of implementation.
"This could not have happened without such close friends and partners in the African Union and in Qatar,” Rubio said.
He referred to the signing event as an important step in the direction of peace, pointing out that peace is not just about ending wars.
"We acknowledge and recognize there's still more work to be done, but we thank you all very much for being a part of this historic and important day,” Rubio said, adding that the US government's facilitaion of the peace process was driven by President Trump policy.
Nduhungirehe praised all the stakeholders involved in the peace process, both in Africa and outside, referring to their dedication as indispensable.
He specifically pointed out that the heart of the peace agreement is the decision to establish a standing joint security coordination mechanism between DR Congo and Rwanda.
"The first order of business is to begin implementing the concept of operations for the neutralization of the FDLR, to be accompanied by a lifting of Rwanda's defensive measures,” he said.
"With this agreement, we also committed to facilitate the return of refugees in our respective territories with the support of the UNHCR. Creating the conditions for the safe and dignified return of refugees is vital to achieve a lasting peace,” he added.
He pledged that Rwanda stands ready to work with DR Congo to deliver on the joint commitments.
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Kayikwamba, on her part, noted that with the peace agreement, the two countries open a new chapter, "one that calls not only for commitment, but for the courage to see it through.”