Geneva Talks: A Test for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement between Congo and Rwanda

Officials from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda will meet in Geneva on September 16 and 17 to discuss the implementation of the Washington agreements signed in 2025. These talks take place amid ongoing conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where key commitments under the peace process remain unresolved.

The Washington Agreements and the Current Situation

The peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda was signed on June 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The agreement was reaffirmed on December 4, emphasizing the parties' commitments to its implementation. Key security commitments include the Democratic Republic of the Congo's duty to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the disengagement of Rwandan forces and the removal of defensive measures.

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The September talks will focus on whether the two sides can make further progress on these commitments. This agreement is part of broader diplomatic efforts to end decades of conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a region bordering Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, which has long faced armed groups and recurring conflicts.

Existing Claims and Tensions

The ongoing conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have also drawn in neighboring countries. Rwanda has repeatedly stated that armed groups operating from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo pose a threat to its national security, while the Congolese government has accused Kigali of supporting armed groups seeking territory and influence in the east.

The M23 group, which emerged as a major armed movement in 2012, became active again in 2022 and launched new attacks in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This group made significant gains in 2025, capturing the city of Goma in North Kivu province and Bukavu in the neighboring South Kivu province. Although M23 is not recognized as a party to the Washington agreement, it remains central to efforts to end the broader conflicts.

The U.S.-backed process calls on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to support a separate dialogue led by Qatar between Kinshasa and M23. This process led to the signing of the Doha Framework for Peace on November 15, 2025.

The September negotiations follow the sixth meeting of the Joint Supervision Committee (JSCM) held on August 12 and 13 in Geneva. At this meeting, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda agreed to advance two initiatives to strengthen the monitoring and verification of the Washington agreements in the field.

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