Rwanda, DR Congo agree to ease tensions after Washington talks

DRC and Rwanda "agreed to a series of coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground," according to a joint statement. The United States has brought together leaders from Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to restart peace talks over the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo This meeting comes after the US imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force, accusing it of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has taken control of large areas since early 2025. Rwanda continues to deny these accusations During the discussions, both countries agreed on steps to calm the situation. These include respecting each other’s borders, reducing military presence in certain المناطق, and working to protect civilians affected by the conflict Congo also promised to step up efforts against the FDLR, a militia formed after the 1994 genocide in Rwanda The conflict remains dangerous, especially near Uvira, close to the border with Burundi, where fighting recently escalated Although a peace agreement was signed in Washington in late 2025, tensions quickly returned, showing how fragile the situation is The US hopes these new talks will prevent the conflict from growing into a larger regional war and help bring long-term stability to the region Source: Newstimehub DRC Rwanda Peace Africa Conflict Diplomacy