Washington: Rwanda, DR Congo officials meet amid 'slowed' implementation of peace agreement

Government officials from Rwanda, DR Congo and the United States met in Washington DC on Wednesday, September 3, to review the implementation of the June 27 peace agreement. It was the second Joint Oversight Committee Meeting held since the US-brokered agreement was signed in Washington. In attendance were representatives from Qatar, Togo ( as African Union facilitator) and the AU. ALSO READ: Nduhungirehe: DR Congo must show political will to dismantle FDLR Committee members acknowledged slowness in implementation of some elements of the Agreement and underscored their shared resolve to ensure its complete and timely implementation to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region, read part of a joint statement released on Thursday. Discussions focused on addressing recent challenges to implementation, including reports of violence in eastern DRC, and identifying actionable steps to ensure compliance with the Agreement’s provisions. ALSO READ: Oversight committee on Rwanda-DR Congo peace meets for first time The statement said that Rwanda and DR Congo committed to a technical-level, intelligence and military channel for direct exchange of information in advance of the next Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) meeting in Doha, Qatar. The meeting is expected to accelerate efforts to neutralize support for the FDLR armed group and advance Rwanda’s lifting of its defensive measures in line with the agreement. The governments of DR Congo and Rwanda reiterated their support to bring the Doha negotiations between Kinshasa and AFC/M23 rebels to a successful conclusion. ALSO READ: Tshisekedi says 'no dialogue outside' DR Congo The meeting comes at a time when hostilities have renewed in eastern DR Congo between the government coalition and the rebels. It also happened as Qatar-mediated peace talks between the two parties in Doha have faltered after the deadline to sign a peace agreement elapsed on August 18. The rebels, who control swathes of territory in eastern DR Congo, accuse the government of new attacks targeting civilians in various parts. DR Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi on August 30 said he would not support any foreign-mediated talks. He renewed the position that he cannot have talks with the rebels. Tshisekedi's remarks come weeks after hostilities in South and North Kivu provinces. The rebels accuse Tshisekedi's government of failing to implement the Declaration of Principles for peace signed in Doha on July 19. They demand that the government release prisoners and respect the ceasefire. Bertand Bisimwa, the deputy coordinator of the AFC/M23 rebels, said the president's position continues to affect peace talks and the situation on the ground. The contempt expressed by Mr. Tshisekedi towards the Doha dialogue explains the outbreak today of the generalized war on all front lines and the unbearable climate of hatred and xenophobia that is currently making our populations insecure in the city of Uvira, Bisimwa wrote in a post on X on August 31.

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Washington: Rwanda, DR Congo officials meet amid 'slowed' implementation of peace agreement