Overview
- Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a Declaration of Principles in Washington on April 25, committing to mutual respect for sovereignty and halting support for armed groups.
- The U.S.-facilitated agreement, witnessed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to address the root causes of decades-long conflict in eastern DR Congo.
- Both nations pledged to produce an initial draft peace agreement by May 2, marking a concrete step toward resolving regional tensions.
- The framework builds on recent Qatar-mediated ceasefires and African-led peace efforts, providing fresh momentum for peace negotiations.
- The U.S. involvement is tied to strategic interests in accessing eastern Congo’s critical minerals, with potential for significant American investment contingent on regional stability.