Peace, Someday

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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda took a step forward in advancing peace efforts this week, approving a key document outlining the terms for the disengagement of Rwandan troops from the conflict-ridden eastern DRC, Radio France Internationale reported.

The concept of operations – signed by the countries’ foreign ministers under Angola’s mediation – aims to address the long-running conflict in DRC’s North Kivu province, where M23, a largely ethnic Tutsi militia backed by Rwanda, has captured swathes of territory since 2021.

The conflict has displaced thousands and triggered widespread violence in the resource-rich region. A United Nations report found that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are fighting alongside M23, with Rwanda exercising “de facto” control over the group.

Rwanda has denied the claims but has called for the dismantling of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) – a militia formed by Hutu leaders involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide – as a precondition for the withdrawal of troops.

The agreement follows a fragile ceasefire brokered by Angola in August, which briefly stabilized the front lines but has since been marred by violations, including renewed M23 offensives.

Earlier this month, the DRC and Rwanda launched a committee chaired by Angola to monitor ceasefire breaches and maintain dialogue, Agence France-Presse wrote.

The conflict in eastern DRC has devastated the mineral-rich region for decades and killed more than six million people since 1996.

The United Nations has documented widespread violence against civilians, particularly women and girls, with Bintou Keita, head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC, calling the crisis “one of the most severe, complex, and neglected humanitarian crises of our times.”

Analysts warned that unresolved tensions could destabilize Central and East Africa, providing opportunities for increased involvement by global powers, such as China and Russia.

Others fear the prolonged violence would provide a fertile ground for the expansion of Islamist terrorist groups.