The signing of the DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal this week has been hailed as a breakthrough moment for a region long scarred by violence. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the agreement as “a significant step towards de-escalation, peace, and stability” in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the wider Great Lakes region.
For decades, eastern DRC has been the epicentre of brutal conflict. Since the 1990s, dozens of armed groups have roamed the mineral-rich provinces, leaving communities in fear. Among them is the M23 rebel group, which the DRC government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting – an allegation Rwanda has consistently denied.
Earlier this year, the M23 launched an aggressive offensive in North and South Kivu provinces, capturing key towns including Goma and Bukavu. The result was devastating: thousands of civilians killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and widespread human rights abuses reported.
The DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal, signed in Washington, D.C., was facilitated by the United States with support from Qatar, the African Union, and Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, who served as mediator. The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) also played key roles, alongside five designated co-facilitators.
“This agreement is a turning point,” said Bintou Keita, the UN’s Special Representative for the DRC and head of MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. She told the Security Council on Friday that it represents a real chance to end years of bloodshed and instability.
Under the DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal, both countries have committed to halting hostilities and respecting each other’s territorial integrity, in line with UN Security Council resolution 2773 (2025). That resolution, adopted unanimously in February, condemned M23’s renewed attacks and called on both parties to return to dialogue.
UN agencies have welcomed the news with cautious optimism. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) issued a statement on Saturday noting that the DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal “offers a chance to stop the cycle of violence and displacement and focus on solutions that restore dignity, stability, and opportunity.”
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said the agreement brings hope to millions who have endured decades of insecurity. “This is a chance to turn the page – ensuring the protection of civilians, including refugees and internally displaced people, and advancing durable solutions that allow them to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.”
Despite the optimism surrounding the DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal, analysts warn that implementation will be the true test. Rebel networks remain deeply entrenched, and mistrust between communities runs deep.
Yet, for the people of eastern Congo, weary from decades of fear, the agreement brings hope that peace may finally become more than a fleeting promise.
