Washington: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have signed a US-brokered peace agreement in Washington, DC, aiming to end the ongoing conflict that has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of hundreds of thousands since the start of the year.
According to Qatar News Agency, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio facilitated the signing of the agreement at the State Department. The foreign ministers of both nations were present to formalize the accord, which had been initially agreed upon in draft form on June 18 following three days of constructive discussions in Washington, DC.
Previously, a joint statement by the US, DRC, and Rwanda had announced plans to finalize the agreement on June 27 during a ministerial meeting involving the parties in conflict, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance. This anticipated event came to fruition today with the official signing.
The agreement's statement from the three countries outlined several critical elements, including commitments to territorial integrity, disarmament, and the conditional integration of non-state armed groups. These components are considered crucial steps towards achieving lasting peace in the region.