DR Congo and Rwanda agree to draft peace deal amid tensions
ALJAZEERA
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have agreed to draft a peace deal by May 2, pledging to respect each other’s sovereignty and end support for armed groups.
DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan counterpart Olivier Nduhungirehe signed the agreement Friday during a tense meeting in Washington, DC, where the two avoided a handshake. The deal follows a Qatar-brokered truce announced earlier in the week.
Brokered with US backing, the agreement aims to ease fighting between DRC forces and M23 rebels, whose campaign has left thousands dead. The US and UN experts say M23 is backed by Rwanda, which Kigali denies.
“The good news is there is hope for peace. The real news – peace must be earned, and it will require seriousness, transparency and sincerity,” Wagner said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the agreement as a “win-win” that could unlock US investment in mining and energy sectors long dominated by China.