The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda are set to sign a peace and economic development agreement in Washington on Friday, according to sources speaking to Reuters.
This agreement is part of diplomatic efforts to end the violence after Rwanda-backed rebels seized significant areas in eastern Congo in recent months.
The foreign ministers of both countries will sign the agreement, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio present.
A diplomatic source mentioned the agreement aims to promote "peace, stability, and integrated economic development" in eastern Congo and to "restore normal bilateral relations." Another source noted a goal of strengthening investor confidence.
Washington has been negotiating a multi-billion-euro investment in mineral-rich Congo for several weeks, while Rwanda also confirmed discussions with the US concerning a potential minerals agreement earlier this week.
In early 2025, the M23 rebels, aided by the Rwandan army, intensified their offensive in eastern Congo, successfully capturing Goma and Bukavu, the capitals of the North and South Kivu provinces.
Despite evidence from UN experts, Rwanda denies supporting M23, claiming its actions are in self-defence against the Congolese army and a rebel group linked to the 1994 genocide perpetrators.
Aside from the US, Qatar is also mediating in the conflict, positioning itself as a peacemaker while Washington is more focused on Congo’s mineral wealth.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot praised the agreement on Friday. He has embarked on a regional tour to seek a lasting solution to the conflict in eastern Congo, visiting Uganda, Burundi, and Congo, though a visit to Kigali is not possible due to the recent diplomatic fallout.
