DRC and Rwanda sign declaration of principles in Washington, paving way for historic peace deal
It raises hopes that the latest cycle of violence in a decades-long conflict rooted in the Rwandan genocide might ease, with both countries hoping to attract significant US investments in minerals.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have agreed to promote peace and economic development in a new peace agreement signed in Washington on Friday, paving the way for the drafting of a peace deal in a week.
The two countries' foreign ministers signed what was referred to as the Declaration of Principles between their respective countries that outlined agreed-upon rules to abide by ahead of the draft peace deal expected to be ready by May 2 for initial review.
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The agreement aims to foster a pathway to peace, stability and integrated economic development in eastern DRC and the resumption of normal bilateral relations.
It raises hopes that the latest cycle of violence in a decades-long conflict rooted in the Rwandan genocide might ease, with both countries hoping to attract significant US investments in minerals.
This is despite previous ceasefires, including the one agreed upon on Wednesday in Doha, failing to halt the fighting in eastern DRC, where violence was witnessed in Masisi territory as late as Friday.
In the declaration, the two nations committed to recognising each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, addressing security concerns, promoting regional economic integration, facilitating the return of displaced persons, supporting the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), and drafting a peace agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US looks forward to working with both parties to strengthen existing partnerships and foster win-win outcomes for all.
He acknowledged the work done by the African Union and regional economic blocs for their efforts in bringing the parties together and laying the foundation for today's talks, noting that the same would continue with the support of the US.
"I'm happy to work for a president that has committed to make global peace a priority for his administration and today is evidence of that, He wants to see a peaceful resolution in many parts of the world but also here and we want to play a constructive, productive and key role ensuring that can happen."
"Durable peace in the Great Lakes region can open the doors for greater US and broader Western investment, which will bring about economic opportunities and prosperity, and also advance President Trump's prosperity agenda for the world in what we call a win-win for everyone involved, for the United States, for the Republic of Congo and Rwanda," said Rubio.
The two nations also promised to recognise the sovereign right of each to govern and administer their territories in a manner that does not infringe the sovereignty or territorial integrity of the other and to refrain from any interference in each other's internal affairs.
They will also support MONUSCO to enable it, per its mandate, to protect civilian populations and to fulfil all obligations assigned to it by the United Nations Security Council, including functions that support the implementation of the Security Council resolution.
They also agreed to facilitate, with the support of relevant United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations, the safe and voluntary return of displaced persons to their original places of residence in eastern DRC after the return of peace to these areas, as well as Congolese citizens displaced by the conflict and currently residing in Rwanda or other countries, per the international law.
The two further committed to limiting the proliferation of non-state armed groups within and beyond their borders and undertook to refrain from providing state military support to such groups.
They also agreed to establish a joint security coordination mechanism to combat non-state armed groups and criminal organisations that threaten their legitimate security concerns.
The Rwandan Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said the declaration of principles opens the doors to a definitive peace agreement, giving fresh impetus to ongoing efforts of the Africa-led process under the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, as well as the Doha track facilitated by the state of Qatar, where we have seen important breakthroughs in recent days.
"Today, we are talking about the real issues, the root causes that must be addressed to achieve lasting peace in our region. Those include, first and foremost, security as well as the return of refugees. In addition, and very importantly, we are discussing how to build new regional economic value chains that link our countries with including the US private sector investment," the minister said.
He said Rwanda's goal is a secure region free of violent ethnic extremism, and which is well governed.
"Walking together, our region can be the engine of prosperity for all our people and Africa as a whole. Our common aim is to conclude a comprehensive peace agreement as soon as possible, but there are no shortcuts or quick fixes, and we have to do the hard work to get it right once and for all," he insisted, adding that Kigali is committed and ready to continue working together with all partners in this initiative.
On her part, Minister Therese Wagner insisted on Rwanda's need to respect all resolutions made and especially those that agreed to the withdrawal of the Rwandan army from Congolese territory.
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