Rwanda, DR Congo agree on new mechanisms to monitor Washington Accords

Rwanda and DR Congo have agreed to advance two initiatives aimed at strengthening the monitoring and verification of the implementation of the Washington Accords on the ground. ALSO READ: Details of Rwanda-DR Congo peace agreement signed in Washington The agreement was reached during the sixth meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM), held on August 12-13 at the US Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. The JSCM is one of the mechanisms supporting implementation of the peace process between Rwanda and DR Congo, founded on the Washington Accords signed by Presidents Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi in Washington on December 4, 2025. ALSO READ: Full text of Washington Accords signed by Kagame, Tshisekedi The accords provide a framework for addressing security concerns between the two countries, particularly the threat posed by the FDLR, a militia formed from remnants of the forces responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The UN- and US-sanctioned group has operated in eastern DR Congo for decades and has been linked to attacks against Rwanda as well as violence and persecution targeting Banyamulenge and other Tutsi communities. ALSO READ: Former FDLR deputy president on how genocidal militia was formed Under the peace framework, the Congolese government is expected to neutralise the FDLR, while Rwanda is to lift its defensive measures against the threat. ALSO READ: Former FDLR ‘Colonel’ on how militia funds its operations Although the two initiatives were not specified, the joint statement released after the meeting said the parties asked the United States to consider them. “The DRC and Rwanda agreed to advance two initiatives to strengthen monitoring and verification of Washington Accords implementation on the ground. The parties requested that the United States consider these two initiatives and provide feedback at the next JSCM.” ALSO READ: FDLR links to Habyarimana's son raise regional security concerns - report The two countries also agreed to hold a trilateral planning conference in October, which will culminate in a revised Operations Order to guide their coordinated efforts. The Geneva meeting brought together representatives from Rwanda and DR Congo, alongside the United States, Qatar, Togo, serving as the African Union mediator, and the African Union Commission. As part of the discussions, the Congolese representatives presented their Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) plan for the FDLR and responded to questions from members of the JSCM. Following the presentation, participants also held a virtual session with the United Nations security mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO) to draw on its operational experience conducting DDR programmes in the region. ALSO READ: Kagame: Rwanda faces impossible choice to tolerate or defend against FDLR The African Union Commission also presented the outcomes of the AU High-Level Meeting held in Gaborone, Botswana, on July 24-25. The parties agreed to reconvene for the seventh JSCM meeting in Geneva on September 16-17.

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Rwanda, DR Congo agree on new mechanisms to monitor Washington Accords