Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed to respect each other’s sovereignty and work on a peace deal by 2 May. The foreign ministers from both countries signed the agreement in Washington, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance.
The agreement aims to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo, where thousands of civilians have been displaced due to the actions of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. In response to the loss of territory, the government in Kinshasa reached out to the US for assistance in exchange for access to the region’s mineral resources.
The agreement signifies progress in strained relations between the two countries and includes commitments to resolve disputes through dialogue. Both sides are expecting significant investments from the US government and private sector.
Although talks have taken place, fighting continued in the North Kivu province on the day of the agreement’s signing. Earlier in the week, DR Congo and the M23 group expressed their commitment to peace and hopes for a permanent ceasefire.
Since January, nearly 7,000 people have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict, which has intensified due to the M23’s advances and fears of a wider regional war. DR Congo accuses Rwanda of arming and supporting the M23, but Rwanda denies these allegations despite assertions from both the UN and US.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9w8q91ld75o
