On 27 June 2025, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) formalised a U.S.-brokered peace deal in Washington, marking a potentially significant shift in the long-standing Great Lakes conflict and signalling a rare and strategic moment for peace diplomacy in Central Africa. The agreement commits Rwanda to withdraw its military forces from eastern DRC within 90 days and establishes a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days to oversee troop disengagement.
Further, the two nations agreed to launch a regional economic integration framework within 90 days aimed at attracting Western investment into their mineral-rich border region, essentially tying peace to prosperity and signalling major diplomatic and commercial ambitions. The accord also supports ongoing parallel talks in Doha between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group.
While analysts remain cautious, given the shaky track record of previous agreements, the combination of security guarantees and economic incentives gives this accord fresh potential to transform violence into development.
(Source)
