The integration of AFC/M23 fighters into the Congolese national army (FARDC) is a critical component of efforts to resolve the protracted conflict in eastern DR Congo, according to the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Sarah Troutman. Troutman made the remarks on Thursday, January 22, while appearing before the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee during a hearing titled “Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump’s Washington Accords.” Troutman said integration into the Congolese army will be discussed in the ongoing peace talks between DR Congo and the AFC/M23 rebels in Doha, Qatar. ALSO READ: Neutralising FDLR absolutely essential, US official tells DR Congo The AFC/M23 movement is composed of Congolese rebels who have taken up arms against the government over several decades, citing governance-related grievances, including ethnic violence, political and social exclusion. These grievances have predominantly affected Congolese Tutsi communities, who have been targeted on the basis of ethnic ideology driven by the FDLR, a group founded by remnants of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. ALSO READ: The unfinished colonial agenda: Rwandan researcher on Belgium’s influence in Rwanda and DR Congo “That’s a critical aspect of the Doha track and something that will be discussed in further negotiations,” Troutman said of the proposal to integrate the rebels in the Congolese armed forces. “We are very supportive of Qatar's efforts to convene those discussions, and the U.S will continue to provide technical support as we move through those negotiations.” She was referring to the Qatar-led peace process, launched in April 2025 to complement the Washington-facilitated track between Rwanda and DR Congo, which focuses on resolving long-standing security issues between the two countries. ALSO READ: With or without Rwanda, M23 is uncontested, says US congressman Congressman Ronny Jackson argued that ending the conflict would be difficult if there is no clear and structured plan for reintegrating the combatants. “I don't think they (AFC/M23) are going to put their weapons down and start farming the next day,” Jackson said. “There has to be concerted efforts by DR Congo to take the Congolese members of the M23 and incorporate them into the broader security platform for the country, whether that's enabling them to be part of the military somewhere... You have to have a plan for that as well.” ALSO READ: Nangaa rejects Tshisekedi's attempt at peace talks in Luanda The Doha process focuses on direct engagement between the Congolese government and the rebels, with the objective of tackling the conflict’s root causes and laying the groundwork for a durable resolution. In April last year, Doha hosted the first direct peace talks between the two sides since the conflict erupted in late 2021. Despite reaching key agreements, such as the July 19 Declaration of Principles, ceasefire deal and the Doha peace framework, the initiative has yet to produce results on the ground as fighting continues. Regional security Congressman Jackson, who visited DR Congo and Rwanda in March 2025, noted that peace efforts should consider security and economic interests of other regional countries. ALSO READ: Five takeaways from US Congressman’s insights on DR Congo crisis Key to lasting peace is economic security. But you can't have economic security until you have some level of physical security as well, because people, outside nations are not going to come in and invest in an area where it's too hostile and too dangerous to operate, Ronny said of the Regional Economic Intregration Framework that is part of the Washington Accords signed between Rwanda and DR Congo. A plan that I've discussed with multiple heads of state in the area, including Rwanda and DRC, is that the region could create an economic framework where neighbouring countries would manage separate segments of the critical mineral supply chain coming from the eastern DRC. Now, I'm not suggesting that the DRC should get resources away. They belong to the DRC. But what I am suggesting is that if this becomes a situation where it's mutually beneficial for everyone to have peace in the region, because it's financially beneficial for everyone to have peace in the region, then I think that that goes a long ways toward establishing lasting peace. He added that there should be an agreement between the regional countries and not just Rwanda and DR Congo, but also involving Burundi and Uganda, so that everyone benefits from the trillions dollars [worth] of rare earths that are that are currently in the eastern DR Congo. If these could be mined in the DRC and then refined or processed in the neighbouring countries, everyone would have a vested interest in making sure that peace is maintained in the area... I think that it's absolutely critical that these resources have to be reinvested in the people of the DR Congo, they have to see their lives getting better based on the these minerals, being processed and sold.
