Kinshasa, DRC (September 3, 2025) — The governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have acknowledged that the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement is progressing at a slower pace than anticipated. This was confirmed during the Second Joint Oversight Committee Meeting held on September 3, 2025, where both countries discussed the challenges and the way forward to ensure the terms of the peace agreement are met.

The Washington Peace Agreement, signed on June 27, 2025, aims to address critical security concerns in eastern DRC, particularly the ongoing threat posed by the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a group that both countries view as a destabilizing force in the region. One of the primary goals of the agreement is the neutralization of the FDLR militia and the safe return of Rwandan refugees who have been displaced due to the conflict.

Despite positive intentions, the implementation process has been hindered by ongoing violence in the eastern DRC, where armed groups continue to clash with military forces. These clashes have delayed efforts to achieve peace and security in the region. A Joint Statement issued after the meeting outlined the steps needed to accelerate the process, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation and the support of African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), and Southern African Development Community (SADC) in implementing the agreement.

In particular, the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM), which was formed to tackle the neutralization of the FDLR, is one of the key measures that is expected to drive the implementation process forward. The first meeting of the JSCM was held in August 2025, and it set the foundation for coordinating efforts to dismantle armed groups and neutralize threats.

Additionally, defensive measures taken by Rwanda will be lifted once the FDLR is neutralized, as per the terms of the peace agreement.

The August 8, 2025, Ministerial Summit further emphasized the importance of supporting the safe and voluntary return of refugees. The Ministerial Summit had decided that both Rwanda and DRC governments would work together to facilitate this process, as outlined in the peace agreement. However, many refugees remain hesitant to return, as they are concerned about ongoing insecurity in certain regions.

Despite the slow progress, both the DRC and Rwanda governments have reiterated their commitment to the peace agreement. The next steps include continued meetings, including a security coordination meeting planned to take place in September 2025, and the ongoing collaboration between both countries to ensure that key elements of the agreement, such as the FDLR neutralization and refugee return, are implemented without delay.

The peace agreement was seen as a hopeful step towards greater stability in the region. However, challenges remain, and it will require sustained cooperation and monitoring from regional bodies to ensure its success.